60amp Voltage regulator

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 14, 04 8:00 pm

Can anyone tell me (or more preferably, show me) what a pre-electronic (as in pre-1970) 60 amp voltage regulator looks like ?

The 37/46amp ones are long (2.5 inch) by 1.5inch by 1.5inch boxes that hold the chattering coil, but, what do the single filed wire 60amp ones look like ?

And, does anyone have one ?

Please

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Jun 14, 04 10:37 pm

I don't think you need a bigger one sandy. Current is controled by demand not rating of the alternator.

I have told Linda to adjust the regulator she already has (I think the old mechanical ones are adjustable) and to see how it goes. I think it will be alright now it has been 'run in'.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jun 15, 04 7:55 am

Just so non-electrical people understand what I just told Sandy.

If all the accessories in your car pull 30 amps when all working at once then a 30 amp alternator will be able to supply all that current and still put out 14 volts.

However if you added a shed load of power accessories and you now want 60 amps from your system then the 30 amp alternator will still supply 60 amps but only at 6 volts and your battery will be draining like mad trying to keep the voltage up.

So the rating of the alternator need only be a bit higher than the total current draw of your system. Fitting a higher rated alt does NOT mean you have more current in the system. The alt is just working at a lower capacity.

I had a dream last night and in it I was adjusting the regulator by bending the lower tab on the tension spring to adjust the voltage.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Tue Jun 15, 04 8:18 am

Been at the cheese again, Dave!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jun 15, 04 9:12 am

Actually yes. I paid ?4 for a nice bit of cheese the other day and I had a bit with pickled walnuts on ritz crackers last night washed down with a little bottle of Carlsberg Export.

I know how to live lad!