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60amp Voltage regulator
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 04 8:00 pm
by Anonymous
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

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 04 10:37 pm
by Dave-R
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'.
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 04 7:55 am
by Dave-R
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 04 8:18 am
by Kev
Been at the cheese again, Dave!

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 04 9:12 am
by Dave-R
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!
