New regulator problems

delco1946

delco1946

Senior Member
New voltage regulator installed. At idle my generator light comes on. Does this mean I should re magnetize? Seems like it’s not “just” related to a bad vr, but my vr does seem to be having troubles… see next.

The shop I took it to tried to adjust it but its super finicky and won’t allow being set to the right range. It could be charging low, and then the gentlest tough to increase it sends it to 8.4 volts etc. tap it barely to lower and then it’s too low. The shop is thinking that I should just reorder another regular and hope it’s better. I’m assuming this is because its chineseum. Are there other options for quality replacements? Anyone rebuild these? Would this solve the light issue?
 
If you are still using a generator in your charging system, it is completely normal to see the charge light at idle. Generators, by their nature, can't charge at low speeds as an alternator does.
 
New voltage regulator installed. At idle my generator light comes on. Does this mean I should re magnetize? Seems like it’s not “just” related to a bad vr, but my vr does seem to be having troubles… see next.

The shop I took it to tried to adjust it but its super finicky and won’t allow being set to the right range.
Click to expand...

The light shouldn't show if adjusted/operating correctly even with all accessories on.

If the VR cannot be adjusted without it's going into spas mode, it is defective.

Are you following the sequence in the 1956 FORD WSM?

As for quality, unless you can find NOS ($$$) you are H8NLIFE (IMO).

Have you thought about a FORD 1G ALT UPGRADE? If done properly, it is hard to notice if you are concerned about originality.

Originally, the VR AMP was matched to the GEN output. If the GEN has been rebuilt or is an exchange, there is no telling what it is now.

EDIT -

Forget that suggestion. It is a 6V SYSTEM. Where did I get 1956 ... :confused: ...
 
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40cpe said:
If you are still using a generator in your charging system, it is completely normal to see the charge light at idle. Generators, by their nature, can't charge at low speeds as an alternator does.
Click to expand...

I could believe this with my limited ability to understand this system - i get the generators put out less at idle. However I struggle with the fact that up until my old VR started having sticking contacts, it never ever, not once did this at idle.

Its annoying, causes me stress, and starts a conversation I didn't want when a passenger asks why is a dash light coming on or flickering! haha
 
delco1946,

Are you sure the belt is tight? It could be slipping enough so that at idle the voltage is low enough to turn on the light.

Don
 
I have a NOS Autolite Ford one (B5AZ-10505-A, GR-1) if you want to go that route. Says 7V 35 amps on the box. It's a service part so if you are doing a concours restoration may not be correct. P.M. me if you need it.
 
The light should not come on at idle. Besides a faulty regulator, you could also check to make sure the generator did not get swapped at one time with one that has a larger pulley on it and its rotating to slow. But, The fact that it worked before with this same generator, the pulley size is probably not the problem but I thought I throw the idea out there. I probably have 50 early ford generators and there all kinds of different size pulleys on them.

The other thing would be to check for voltage drops (resistance) in the wiring.

Regulator adjusting video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBHtXMTNUXA
 
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I disagree with that. If the regulator is set correctly, you won't see the light.


40cpe said:
If you are still using a generator in your charging system, it is completely normal to see the charge light at idle. Generators, by their nature, can't charge at low speeds as an alternator does.
Click to expand...
 
1942deluxe said:
I have a NOS Autolite Ford one (B5AZ-10505-A, GR-1) if you want to go that route. Says 7V 35 amps on the box. It's a service part so if you are doing a concours restoration may not be correct. P.M. me if you need it.
Click to expand...

!!! damn !!!​
 
Make sure your idle speed is not too slow. Try disconnecting the output
wire with the engine at idle and see what voltage you have at the generator.
 
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