BCM Community

Hi,

I have a 1981 MCI MC9 with 6V92T. The alternator is a Delco DN50 and the voltage regulator is the big, black box with fins and 3 connectors. The VR is mounted on the passenger side up high in the bay just ahead of the drive axle.

My question, is this considered to be a 'mechanical' VR? Is it electronic? Digital?

The reason I ask is that on a related thread, there was a link to Sterling Power advanced VR that can use the alternator as a 4 stage charger - better for keeping my 8D AGM house bank charged when the bus is running. So I'm thinking of adding one of their VR. However, in the installation instructions, it says they recommend leaving the OEM VR connected and just adding their VR so if the new VR should fail, there is still the old one to fall back on. However, it also says that it should not be used with a 'mechanical' VR?

Any suggestions?

1981 would have a transistorized electronic regulator.  Your house batteries and your start batteries almost certainly have different charging requirements, and what is good for one can be bad for the other.  In my case, my house batteries want a charge voltage high enough to make my start batteries use too much water, so I charge based on the lower voltage that the start batteries want.  You may have the same situation with your AGM's.  Finding the compromise is tough.

Brian