shepherm
Active Member
Sorry for the long post...
I had another voltage regulator fail. Last time my alternator fried too, so I really didn’t know what failed first. This time it’s for sure the regulator and my alternator didn’t fry. Both times they send the voltage straight through causing the alternator to full charge all the time.
Details
Its a 68 charger 318. The alternator or regulator (factory style) wasn't working when I got the car in March '22.
April '22
I replaced the regulator with a solid state and the alternator with a Acdelco rebuilt unit.
July '22
Added 10 ga wire and fusible link from the the back of the alternator to starter relay
Added headlight relay (all soldered connections)
Added HEI ignition module
Added relay for the HEI/choke, voltage regulator (all soldered connections)
September '22
Alternator and regulator failed, regulator putting out 12 volts to alternator
Replace with another solid state (little different than the first) and Remy rebuilt alternator (tested prior to install)
Tested after install:
Good charging 14.5V at battery
Very little voltage drop between battery and back of alternator
Very little voltage drop between regulator sensing wire and battery
No voltage on the regulator case or alternator case
Yesterday 1/28/23
Alternator was working fine
After sitting in traffic, I noticed alternator was putting out high charge when I pushed on the throttle
Pulled over pulled the sensing wire, drove home without alternator
Same as last failed regulator, putting out 12 volts to the alternator field wire causing over-charging
So it appears there has been a problem since I bought the car. The only thing running through the bulkhead is the radio, gauges, taillights, etc. Now I need to decide if I should try a third one and check everything one more time, or switch to a 70 style regulator and alternator..
I had another voltage regulator fail. Last time my alternator fried too, so I really didn’t know what failed first. This time it’s for sure the regulator and my alternator didn’t fry. Both times they send the voltage straight through causing the alternator to full charge all the time.
Details
Its a 68 charger 318. The alternator or regulator (factory style) wasn't working when I got the car in March '22.
April '22
I replaced the regulator with a solid state and the alternator with a Acdelco rebuilt unit.
July '22
Added 10 ga wire and fusible link from the the back of the alternator to starter relay
Added headlight relay (all soldered connections)
Added HEI ignition module
Added relay for the HEI/choke, voltage regulator (all soldered connections)
September '22
Alternator and regulator failed, regulator putting out 12 volts to alternator
Replace with another solid state (little different than the first) and Remy rebuilt alternator (tested prior to install)
Tested after install:
Good charging 14.5V at battery
Very little voltage drop between battery and back of alternator
Very little voltage drop between regulator sensing wire and battery
No voltage on the regulator case or alternator case
Yesterday 1/28/23
Alternator was working fine
After sitting in traffic, I noticed alternator was putting out high charge when I pushed on the throttle
Pulled over pulled the sensing wire, drove home without alternator
Same as last failed regulator, putting out 12 volts to the alternator field wire causing over-charging
So it appears there has been a problem since I bought the car. The only thing running through the bulkhead is the radio, gauges, taillights, etc. Now I need to decide if I should try a third one and check everything one more time, or switch to a 70 style regulator and alternator..