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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Busted Knuckle on May 11, 2012, 09:31:18 AM

Title: Voltage regulator question
Post by: Busted Knuckle on May 11, 2012, 09:31:18 AM
OK had a voltage regulator go bad and bought a new replacement for it.

Well like an idiot I didn't read the terminal labels before installing it an just put each wire back in the position they came off from.
When done I went from over charging to no charging.

So after thinking about it over night I decided to check what was cast into the housing where each wire goes and sure enough I screwed up!

On the old one it's labeled `NEG, FLD, POS and the new one is FLD, BAT, IGN. OK even I can figure out the the field terminal but which one of the others go where?

;D  BK  ;D
BTW this is why dad does our eletrical stuff & I do the mechanical. But dad ain't here!

Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: Busted Knuckle on May 11, 2012, 09:43:17 AM
Well to answer my own question it seems they sold my sister the "wrong" part # regulator yesterday and I'm jumping in the van to go get the correct one now! (4 hr round trip!)
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: gus on May 11, 2012, 03:14:46 PM
BK,

Is this a solid state VR replacing an older not T one?

What did it cost?

I'm thinking about replacing my old one in hopes the surging will stop for my DN50 alt.
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: Busted Knuckle on May 11, 2012, 05:50:07 PM
Quote from: gus on May 11, 2012, 03:14:46 PM
BK,

Is this a solid state VR replacing an older not T one?

What did it cost?

I'm thinking about replacing my old one in hopes the surging will stop for my DN50 alt.

Gus as far as I know it's same as the old one. (I'd honestly forgotten they make them "solid state" these days.)

But I can tell ya who to call
ACC Rebuilders
853 R. EH Crump Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38126
901-774-5874
http://www.accrebuilders.com/ (http://www.accrebuilders.com/) 
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: gus on May 13, 2012, 08:09:51 PM
BK,

I goofed on that one!

The 4107  original is already solid state, I must have been thinking of that monster mechanical one on the 4104!!
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: belfert on May 13, 2012, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on May 11, 2012, 05:50:07 PM
But I can tell ya who to call
ACC Rebuilders
853 R. EH Crump Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38126
901-774-5874
http://www.accrebuilders.com/ (http://www.accrebuilders.com/) 

You had to drive all the way to Memphis for a regulator?  I guess Nashville isn't that much closer.  I'm spoiled by living in a large metro area I guess.

It probably cost you more for gas for two trips than for the regulator.
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: pvcces on May 13, 2012, 10:11:59 PM
The worst part is the innards have been available on eBay for something like $20, IIRC. The main difference in those regulators is that one takes three connections while the other takes four. The one that takes four requires a case ground that is not labeled.

Why they went to the trouble to do it that way, I don't know. Our manual showed the one circuit, but our bus had the other circuit. It was covered in the supplement, so I got a copy of it.

Gus, I doubt that you will get rid of the pulsation in your lights as long as you are using the 50DN alternator. The regulator and alternator are a slow cycling pair. I do recall that George Lowry said that an aftermarket regulator was able to produce a smooth output.

Good luck.

Tom Caffrey
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: Busted Knuckle on May 13, 2012, 11:10:33 PM
Quote from: Busted Knuckle
But I can tell ya who to call
ACC Rebuilders
853 R. EH Crump Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38126
901-774-5874
http://www.accrebuilders.com/ (http://www.accrebuilders.com/) 

Quote from: Belfert
You had to drive all the way to Memphis for a regulator?  I guess Nashville isn't that much closer.  I'm spoiled by living in a large metro area I guess.

It probably cost you more for gas for two trips than for the regulator.

Well Brian we are EXACTLY 1/2 way between the 2!
And the regulators cost about $150 ea.
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: gus on May 14, 2012, 08:30:20 PM
Tom,

Thanks.

It really isn't all that bad, about 2-3 needle widths, mostly a nuisance.

For some unknown reason it isn't as bad as when I first got the bus?
Title: Re: Voltage regulator question
Post by: thomasinnv on May 14, 2012, 09:15:07 PM
Quote from: gus on May 14, 2012, 08:30:20 PM
For some unknown reason it isn't as bad as when I first got the bus?

the best kind of problems are the ones that "fix themselves"  ;D ;D