1973 Ford 4000 Voltage Regulator Issue

[deere5105]

The VR may have been just bad from the start. Or maybe it was polarized incorrectly when you put it in.
Voltage regulators are odd little beasts, A balance of mechanical spring tension versus electrically-generated magnetic force ends up with an old style voltage regulator. Which is a device which can literally be rebuilt at the kitchen table - or built from scratch in a home workshop. And not surprisingly, manufacturing them relies on some some care and craftsmanship winding coils and setting spring rates. That attention to detailed craftsmaship is going to be more and more unlikely as the demand for that old style voltage regulator diminishes.

Demand diminishes because voltage regulation devices for the past 40 or 50 years has been switching over to using semiconductor voltage regulation circuits. It is much simpler to consistently make a reiliable semiconductor voltage regulator - that's what all the modern alternators have built into the alternator. Of course that level of simplicity can only happen after technology has advanced to the point where semiconductors even exist. .... which takes a whole industrial base itself.

Be interesting to see what your voltmeter shows when you get a chance.

rScotty

Volt meter reading now in 14.8V to 15V range. Light staying off like is supposed to.

 

[daryelcorran]

As contacts wore they required adjustments. Had slots where a flat screwdriver could gently pry.

snaptube vidmate​

 

[rScotty]

As contacts wore they required adjustments. Had slots where a flat screwdriver could gently pry.

Yes, that's true. And it really does date you.

 

[deere5105]

Volt meter reading now in 14.8V to 15V range. Light staying off like is supposed to.

After few hours of use light started coming on again. Wound up taking back to repair shop. They determined new regulator failed. Replaced under warranty and back going again. Time will tell if this one lasts.

 

[rScotty]

After few hours of use light started coming on again. Wound up taking back to repair shop. They determined new regulator failed. Replaced under warranty and back going again. Time will tell if this one lasts.

Not surprised that you are having problems with modern replacements for old voltage regulators. The way the old solenoid/resistance VRs were designed doesn't lend itself well to today's cost-saving or "cheaper is better" type of manufacturing. This is a whole different era.

When you get tired of playing with that old generator/VR system check back in message 13 & 14 for another solution. Use the 3 wire type.
rScotty

 

[stevem5215]

Yep, just put on a 3 wire 727 GM alternator. I did that on our 2003 Jinma. Worked perfectly after that till we got rid of it last year.