Ford 2000 Charging Voltage - Voltage Regulator Adjustment

[Skenny]

1971 Ford 2000 Gas, 3 cyl


Installed a new voltage regulator because battery was not charging, generator tested OK. Afterward, I checked the voltage at the battery, which appeared high at over 16 volts, around 1.500 RPMs. Put a slow charge on the battery to full charge, then tested as specified in my manual, at the output terminal for the in-dash warning lamp, where I obtained a reading around 13.5 volts. I again checked the voltage at the battery, still at 16 volts.

I intend to adjust the regulator to get the voltage at the battery down, but it may drop it below spec for the warning lamp test. I'm just curious why the manual is silent on checking the charging voltage at the battery, specifying the warning lamp instead, with acceptable values there of 14.3 to 15.5V, depending on temperature. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[100 td]

1971 Ford 2000 Gas, 3 cyl


Installed a new voltage regulator because battery was not charging, generator tested OK. Afterward, I checked the voltage at the battery, which appeared high at over 16 volts, around 1.500 RPMs. Put a slow charge on the battery to full charge, then tested as specified in my manual, at the output terminal for the in-dash warning lamp, where I obtained a reading around 13.5 volts. I again checked the voltage at the battery, still at 16 volts.

I intend to adjust the regulator to get the voltage at the battery down, but it may drop it below spec for the warning lamp test. I'm just curious why the manual is silent on checking the charging voltage at the battery, specifying the warning lamp instead, with acceptable values there of 14.3 to 15.5V, depending on temperature. Thanks for any feedback.

Back in the early eighties I got an honours for charging systems, but I haven't adjusted a generator regulator for 25 years and have forgotten all about them! I would have to find some books hidden away somewhere to try to fathom any reasons for the voltage set points, I would set voltages at battery terminals if your battery is charged, I expect as general wiring was small and there was no sensing control they ran a bit higher as when the generator/regulator got hot it probably reduced the output slightly, when the battery is cold it can take a higher charge. I expect there should be something on the net regarding the adjustments, there is a specific sequence for adjusting the current/voltage/cut out coils, and there are point gap measurements and coil gap measurements, and different regulator units with 2 and 3 coil units etc. Have a sniff around the net and see how you go.
EDIT: I just found this series of pages DR-324 Regulators and if you follow the pages it looks like they go thru the set up procedure.
While every make and model were different, there are similarities and this may help you.
Combined coil types
DR-324 Regulators