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Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator
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NewportBob
Posted 2019-05-21 4:47 PM (#582382)
Subject: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Location: Sioux Center, IA
When I rebuilt my '61 Newport, I put in a new alternator (NAPA part 231-2012, a part with lots of Mopar applications) and upgraded to an electronic voltage regulator (NAPA VR38SB), which entailed a bit of re-wiring. All was well for 3 years or so. Last August, I noticed goo on the inner fender--the regulator was leaking. Its insulation or matrix (whatever it's called) seems to have begun to melt. The regulator was working. I replaced it, but the new one is beginning to do the same thing. What's up?

I tested the voltage at the battery--12.3 v when not running. Starting it up, the voltage went up to 15v; revving the engine backed it off to 14.6 or so. Is the alternator overcharging?

Other relevant info? I use a charger/maintainer when the car is not in use, but I have an isolation switch that cuts power from the battery to everything.

One regulator is a bad one; two in a row means another problem?

Thanks in advance for any advice on this great forum!

Bob
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wizard
Posted 2019-05-22 1:06 AM (#582402 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

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actually, you downgraded to a yellow electronic voltage regulator.
I helped a guy with a 300G who changed 3 of those in one day. I had an old voltage regulator, mounted it and it's still working after 3 years.
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Old Ray
Posted 2019-05-22 10:17 AM (#582405 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: RE: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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I tested the voltage at the battery--12.3 v when not running. Starting it up, the voltage went up to 15v; revving the engine backed it off to 14.6 or so. Is the alternator overcharging? Bob

At risk of being wrong, ....... I think that is perfect.
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57chizler
Posted 2019-05-22 1:34 PM (#582411 - in reply to #582405)
Subject: RE: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Location: NorCal
I agree, 14.6V is perfect.

The newer style solid-state regulators are well known to ooze the potting compound, doesn't hurt the function but makes a mess and probably shortens the life. Instead of mounting the regulator directly to the firewall, some models used a bracket that allows air to circulate under it.

Edited by 57chizler 2019-05-22 2:00 PM




(VR Bracket.jpg)



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Attachments VR Bracket.jpg (57KB - 246 downloads)
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normsclassicradio
Posted 2019-05-22 5:02 PM (#582420 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Posts: 298
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Location: Kalispell, MT USA
Maybe adding a heat sink to the front of the unit would make it run cooler. Some heat sink compound and a metal strap of some kind?
I wonder if an old computer CPU heat sink would be about the right size...

Edited by normsclassicradio 2019-05-22 5:04 PM




(heat sink.jpg)



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Attachments heat sink.jpg (74KB - 252 downloads)
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NewportBob
Posted 2019-05-22 5:22 PM (#582426 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Posts: 97
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Location: Sioux Center, IA
These are very helpful comments! I am happy to learn that 1) the substance is called "potting material"; 2) its ooze is not a sign of imminent failure and is common; 3) my alternator is within range; 4) that newer is not always better.

I like the idea of a bracket or heat sink to manage the problem; digging out the old regulator is my fallback plan. Happy for more ideas or experiences if you they are out there. I will report back when I have made any changes.
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NewportBob
Posted 2019-06-28 9:10 AM (#584164 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



Regular

Posts: 97
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Location: Sioux Center, IA
Here's a brief update: I found a bracket from Wilson Productions--they fabricate them but only had a cleaned-up original, which suited me fine. You can find them here: http://www.n96airgrabber.com/proddetail.asp?prod=VRB-001

I mounted it on my inner fender--no leaking problems so far.



Edited by NewportBob 2019-06-28 9:12 AM




(smallVoltageReg pic.png)



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Attachments smallVoltageReg pic.png (47KB - 238 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-06-28 12:21 PM (#584181 - in reply to #584164)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Question for those who know:

Can I run a solid state voltage regulator with a generator? I don't like the way my mechanical voltage regulator behaves.

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57chizler
Posted 2019-06-29 3:59 PM (#584227 - in reply to #584181)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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You can't run a factory solid state regulator with a generator but there might be some aftermarket regulators made for generators. I know of some made for Harley generators but they're Delco.
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normsclassicradio
Posted 2019-07-01 1:38 PM (#584292 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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Posts: 298
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Location: Kalispell, MT USA
They make alternators that look like generators. Maybe they have the regulator built in.. not to start another war about originality like the Jay Leno post...
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ttotired
Posted 2019-07-02 6:13 PM (#584359 - in reply to #582382)
Subject: Re: Leaking (!!) Voltage Regulator



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To my knowledge they dont make solid state regulators for a generator

Generator regs control both field and armature current (reverse current)

Alternator regs just control field current. Field current = up to 5 amps (both alternator and generator around the same)

Armature current = 20-30 amps

The do make transistors big enough to cover armature current (amps) but they are big and will get very hot

The diodes in an alternator not only change the ac output of the alternator to dc but also eradicate the need for reverse current regulation

The diodes are mounted on a large heat sink in the alternator (or its case) and is air cooled (fan on the front)

Just to keep it simple, alternators and generators both have field coils and power windings. On a generator, the field coils are mounted on the case (stationary) and the power
windings rotate (armature), in an alternator, this is reversed so its the field coil that spins and power windings are stationary

This is why generator brushed are much larger than alternator brushes, its the vast difference in current they have to handle

Enough of the lesson

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