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Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 1:13 pm
by SteveH
Hello folks,

Looking for advice. My Model K seems to enjoy going through regulators. I have a factory 12 volt AC Delco generator that has been rebuilt. Reputable shop that works with the historical vehicle clubs. It tests good as of last week. I use a 3 wire external regulator. Just put on a new regulator one week ago. Decent charge at 2200ish rpm - about 13.8 volts. Started to show no charge after a few days. Re-flashed the generator - back in business. Shut it off for 20 min, come back and no charge. This has happened twice. Last night - went for ride and no-charge. Re-flashed and no charge. Measured at regulator - grd and Batt. Readings jump from 8 volts to about 12.45 volts - up and down. Battery takes a charge but peaks at about 12.5 volts after about one hour rests.

Have checked wire connections. Cleaned and checked grounds. Any thoughts and what I might check. Wire gauge? Bad battery?

Thanks Steve

Re: Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 1:15 pm
by SteveH
correction - factory Auto-lite generator.

Re: Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:29 pm
by drrot
What generator and regulator numbers are you using?

Re: Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:55 pm
by SteveH
Generator is a GHW4803. All I can find on regulator is what looks to be a large "C" with an R within it. Says made in USA. Number on back is 11168.

Thanks

Re: Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:45 pm
by mbigpops
How does the battery take a charge outside of the boat on a charger ?

Mark

Re: Regulators

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:32 pm
by SteveH
The earlier reference to taking a charge was outside boat on a charger - should have been clearer on that. I seem to remember getting to about 12.5.

Re: Regulators

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 12:55 am
by davidvn
You have an A circuit generator when it stops working disconnect the field wire from the generator and then ground the field terminal on the generator and see what voltage you have coming out of the Armature terminal you should have full output with the field terminal grounded The 11168 regulator maybe to high a current regulator and is unstable at lower currents. I’ll look up the part number in the morning

Re: Regulators

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:14 am
by SteveH
Thanks David. Part reference # would be great. Can you or someone remind me the difference between A and B circuits.

Re: Regulators

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:12 am
by SteveH
Hi David. Completed test. Grounded field and tested from arm. Readings varied. Checked connections. Still up and down ranging from 15 to 7/8, 13 to zero. So fluctuating all over the place. Does this suggest generator?. When I said it tested well one week ago, it had some grease on brushes (?) That they cleaned up. Not sure where this came. Then it was good. Maybe something gone south again inside.

Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks Steve.

Re: Regulators

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 11:44 pm
by davidvn
You need to make sure your test connections are good. I will get back to you Monday on the part number.
An A circuit requires you ground the fields a B circuit needs power to the fields. It started out as a Delco vs Prestolite thing.

Re: Regulators

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:26 pm
by SteveH
Thanks David. I guess what I was trying to relay was that the readings were fluctuating all over the place. I think the "0" was my meters way of saying it was below the range I had set on meter. For the most part readings were jumping from 13-15 to 7-8 volts. The readings did not stabilize across rpm range - maybe up to 1500 at the high end. I have strong alligator clips and checked the connections twice when I saw it jumping so Im hoping my connections were sound. If the generator was not working properly, could I get these fluctuating readings?

I appreciate your help with this. Steve

Re: Regulators

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:49 am
by Bilge Rat
Hey Davidvn:

I have the same GHW4803 generator on an MCL I'm restoring and am looking for the correct regulator. The generator puts out a whopping 8 amps at 12 volts. Were you able to come up with the part number for the correct regulator?

Thanks

Re: Regulators

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 6:27 pm
by davidvn
Hi I don’t like to advertise here but I can help you with that there really is only one regulator that works properly why don’t you give me a call and I’ll be happy to steer you to the correct regulator 201-445-8685 thanks very much

Re: Regulators

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:32 am
by mbigpops
Hi I don’t like to advertise here but I can help you with that there really is only one regulator that works properly why don’t you give me a call and I’ll be happy to steer you to the correct regulator 201-445-8685 thanks very much
I don't understand this reply at all. Instead of posting the correct information for everyone to see you ask for a direct private phone call which in turn will solicit business for you in the form of parts sales or service yet you make a statement that you don't like to advertise here. Are you posting to help people or solicit business ? I can't tell.

Mark

Re: Regulators

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:07 pm
by davidvn
I have posted here for years and offered advice without any expectations of return. I field phone calls all day long with people that simply ask questions and I politely answered them without any expectations. If you read my response correctly you’ll see that I use the word steer you in the correct direction. The answer to this question is not an easy one and it’s not a matter of giving you a part number but it requires technical direction which I am widely known for giving freely. The scope of properly regulating the generator is a bit complicated to do on this forum and I would be happy to answer the questions and again steer you in the correct direction. Considering how willing I have been to assist people you must not know me very well. If you are confused once again I suggest you perseverate on the word steer on my response