Moving / Relocating Voltage Regulator in MC-8

[DavidInWilmNC]

My basement (modified window unit) A/C is going in the rear bay, and the ductwork will go right where the voltage regulator is.  I'd hate to bury it behind the duct.  There's enough wire to allow me to mount it out of the way, but I have a few questions before I do that.  First, how much ventilation does the regulator need, and is it particular to its mounting orientation?  I was thinking about mounting it on the bottom of the tunnel where it slopes downwards.  The other location is on the tunnel itself... about 90° from where it is now.  If I  mounted a small terminal strip where the regulator wires are, I could move it more towards the center of the tunnel, which would be ideal.  So, my questions are basically dealing with the mounting orientation, ventilation requirements, and  extending the wires (this one shouldn't be an issue at all).  If anybody has any suggestions, experiences, or comments dealing with this, I'd love to hear 'em!  Thanks.

David

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi David,

The most I've noticed my regulator is barely warm. Alot of folks have moved their regulators like

what you are discribing. Your not putting it in any danger unless you would be totaly blocking any air

circulation. Which I don't think thats your intention. You want to be able to service it.

Good Luck
Nick-

[Stan]

Electronic devices produce more heat when they work harder. If your  alternator runs a lot at high output current then the regulator needs more cooling. The MC-5 buses had forced air cooling on the regulator but later models depended on convection cooling. To get proper cooling it should be mounted in the same orientation as the original so that it will circulate the air properly over the cooling fins.  If the alternator is only used to recharge the start batteries, then it doesn't matter how it is mounted.