66 Ford 3000 Voltage Regulator

[Badbrad59]

Hey y'all! Is there any way to check a voltage regulator to see if it is good or not? I have a 66 Ford 3000 diesel and the previous owner has by-passed the voltage regulator and none of the instruments work and I'm thinking that could be the culprit? Y'all got any advice? Or should I just go ahead and buy a $25.00 regulator! Lol!

Thanks!
Brad

 

[LD1]

Why would they bypass the regulator?? If they did that, it either means that the battery isnt charging, or can be overcharging and potentially explode. Not good.

Personally, I would just drop the $25 for peice of mind. I dont remember exactally how to test them, but if it is working properly....it sould be buzzing/humming

Soundguy is about an expert on these. I am sure he will be along shortly.

 

[mitch becton]

can you describe what you mean with the regulator was by passed what did they do to accomplish this. your tractor should have come with a lucas generator with 6 terminal hook ups 2 which were b+ hook ups the rest are battery field and generator hook ups. by some chance has it been converted to the alternator type set up. if it still generator it should have a tach drive worm gear coming out of back

 

[Soundguy]

regulator.. or stabalizer?

and hows the fuse inthe wire harness to the cluster?

 

[Badbrad59]

It still has the generator system. Not sure about the fuse? I'm going to get into it soon. Haven't been able to play around with my tractor as of late due to some personal issues. As soon as I get the personal stuff under control I'll be back on the tractor! And the votage regulator/instrument cluster is on the top of my list! Guys, I can't thank y'all enough for the wise counsel and advice!

Thanks and God bless!
Brad

 

[Soundguy]

again.. stabilizer or regulator.. makes a big difference....

 

[Badbrad59]

Don't know Soundguy? I'll have to look at the part and see if I can read anything on it.

 

[Soundguy]

forget that.. just see how it's hooekd up.. vstab is for the cluster.. vreg is for the genny.

2 completely different parts different jobs.. cause different issues...

 

[Badbrad59]

This is what it looks like.

 

[Soundguy]

never mind.. you didn't read any of my replies obviously...

 

[Badbrad59]

I'm sorry soundguy! I'm at work and cannot physically look at the tractor. I am reading every reply you post! I'll look at it when I get home this evening!

Thanks, Brad

 

[Soundguy]

post back.

 

[Badbrad59]

I did see that the genny has the cable coming from the back for the tach. Have not located the fuse as of yet. I did notice a single wire running from the harness at the back of the genny across the front of the engine on top right in front of the cylinder cover. Never did locate its destination? I will dig deeper.

 

[Soundguy]

fuses is in near the connector for the plug in for the cluster.

wire to the front? i'd look for the water temp sender.. or see if someone scabbed in an electric fuel pump vs the mechanical one up there for the gassers anyway....

yep.. genny runs tach...

voltage stabilizer, not regulator runs power to the gauges...

 

[Badbrad59]

Alot of wires taped together in the area of the plug for the cluster. I'll remove the tape and see what's underneath! I figured it was the two wires he disconnected from the vstab/vreg? I need to see what it is anyway! I reckon I'll just disconnect the tach cable from the back of the genny to see if I can see what's wrong with the tach? I don't have anything on my instument cluster working. Lights, fuel gauge, tach.

 

[Soundguy]

(sigh)

first.

the voltage stabilizer and voltage regulator are 2 different things.

for the cluster to have power.. vstab and fuse have to be present.

tach is 100% mechanical