50DN alternator / Regulator

[gus]

There never was any question about what a VR is.

That isn't my definition of digital.

Solid state simply means no mechanical parts or vacumn tubes with transistors replacing them. The old 50DN VR like mine is partly solid state and partly mechanical, the newer ones are all solid state components mounted on circuit boards, and sometimes encapsulated, because they are so small.

None of this has anything directly to do with digital. To me digital means a direct numbers display instead of needles and dials. I don't see any way a VR can be digital?? I'm willing to be enlightened!

[luvrbus]

Think a about digital recorders, gauges can be digital with needles , cameras,TV's sound, the list goes it is the same with the voltage regulators it done with a micro processor 

[bevans6]

Gus, unfortunately your interpretation of digital is wrong.  Devices with displays that are numbers are numerical displays, and while they almost always have digital circuits making them work, the display isn't what makes them digital.  What makes them digital is that their circuits use on/off voltages, ones and zeros if you will, and use Boolean algebra to make their circuits work.  Computers, micro processors, simple timing circuits, circuits to make numerical displays work, all are digital circuits.  Pure sine wave inverters are digital circuits, which I found interesting.  There is a long conversation to be had on the merging of analog and digital circuits and subsequent issues with accuracy vs precision but that can wait for another day.

Brian

[gus]

Brian,

Thanks, you make it much clearer. Ones and zeros I understand in microprocessor circuits, Boolean algebra, no - I'm not that smart!! They are widely used in computers and other electronics as you well know.

However, I can't relate any of this to a bus digital VR or even any reason to make it more complicated. Is it because they just lately started using digital circuits? I'm still open to learn!

All VRs, even the old mechanical ones used on/off switching operation even though all VRs are mostly analog, they just weren't solid state or electronic. Early mechanical ones were even used vibrators that were simple bi-metal switches!

I've never seen an electronic/electric gage/display called a numerical display, they're all called digital that I know of? I can only assume this is because they display both number and alpha digits. Early ones were even displayed on small drums (odometers) and had nothing to do with electrical/digital circuits.

I can't find anything like this on the net? Is there a name or model for this bus digital VR so I can look it up and educate myself?

[bs4104]

Where is this going??
not much help for Wayne.
Bruce

[luvrbus]

Gus, try Ample Power or Balmar just 2 brands off the top of my head,I have a Ample Power "smart regulator" only way to go IMO with house batteries charging off the engine alternator

[eagle19952]

Gus, try Ample Power or Balmar just 2 brands off the top of my head,I have a Ample Power "smart regulator" only way to go IMO with house batteries charging off the engine alternator

Interesting stuff here: [url]http://www.amplepower.com/phpBB3/index.php]http://www.amplepower.com/phpBB3/index.php] [url]http://www.amplepower.com/phpBB3/index.php[/url]

even MORE interesting stuff HERE: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/33042-inexpensive-high-capacity-alternators.html

[gus]

Thanks, I find "smart VRs" which are phased charging, but nothing about digital?

Why are they better for house batts? I just connect mine to the starts while underway. Do you have two alternators?

Back to Wayne;

Can you tell us exactly what model your Delco VR is and the number of connections on the VR?

I got lost on your description of what went where. If you have an F2 terminal on the VR it must be for two alternators?

[rusty]

The VR is model number 19020413 (Delco Remy ). t\There are 5 connections, Ground, Field, Battery, Ignition, Sense.

Wayne

[gus]

Thanks!

[Zeroclearance]

Here is a decent ad.   There is a video showing that regulator in action.

http://shop.pkys.com/Balmar-ARS-5-Regulator-12-Volts-No-wiring-harness_p_151.html

My understanding is that when you have software based code to perform mechanical switching or regulation, that is the basis of digital..   The Balmar does have Eprom to allow different ramp rates and charging rates..   A non digital regulator would not allow you these multiple features.

[Zeroclearance]

As a disclaimer, Balmar built me a customer regulator to control my 450Amp 24 volt alternator..   The standard OEM supplied regulator could not provide the charging and temperature control and ramp rate that I needed for my 8 each house Deka AGM's..

[gus]

Wayne,

I just stumbled across this on the WanderLodge forum (http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6023&page=4) which may be of some help;
<<<<<<<<<<<<
"The original Delco-Remy voltage regulator (big, black, with fins and three terminals, one ground, one field, and one 12vdc coming from the ignition switch) is Delco-Remy p/n 1118443 and is no longer made. If it is bad, there is a replacement. However, to stop the bouncing, one of our members forwarded a BB drawing showing their fix of using clean 12vdc from a battery stud through a relay operated by the 12vdc from the ignition switch. This works.

Delco-Remy says the replacement is p/n 10503807, a five wire regulator. This is a kit p/n that includes the regulator p/n 19020413 (see prior erroneous info from DR technical), a jumper clip, and some instructions. The instructions reference a voltage adjustment screw in a hole, but it is not in a hole, but is a tiny brass screw covered with brown sealer on the surface of a small blue device protruding from the potting material. This regulator does not need the relay as there is one internal and separate terminals for battery and ignition.

The relay seems to have fixed the old regulator, but I now have a new spare which I might just install anyway."
>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think this ignition switch relay may be the solution to my problem since I can't get a full 12v from the switch to my VR the way it is now wired.

Forgot to ask, what did you hook to the Sense post?

[gus]

I also found this wiring diagram.

http://www.delcoremy.com/Documents/Alternator-Service-Manuals/50VR-RETROFITTING-50VR-VOLTAGE-REGULATORS-10503992.aspx

[rusty]

Thank You Gus, I must have got the RV that the wanderlodge guy sent back. I have the same instruction sheets that you posted. Now things are starting to make sense. Yes my RV has the same adjustment screw that is sealed. I have not hooked up anything yet, but it looks like the sence connection should be connected close to the batteries to get a clean signal. I am now thinking I mite look into the smart RV.

Wayne