Just thinking here

[notjustair]

This crappy voltage regulator business is consuming my life. It still makes me mad as a hatter that they can't make a VR that isn't junk. My generator guy did say he could get some that were made in the USA but they were 70 some bucks. That is just dumb money when alternators are less than half that.

Anyway, one of those bad regulators charged full power when I switched springs around in it. Just above idle it was charging 7 volts and then went up to about 10. I was afraid to really throttle her up and test for fear of burning something up.

With this in mind- couldn't a guy figure out how to adjust one of these non-adjustable jobs to charge for their 8 volt battery? Couldn't they sell a regulator to have a 6 volt generator charge for 8 volts? My understanding is that you would just need to to keep the contacts closed longer to have it work the generator a little more.

I know, this would assume a need for 8 volts when there really isn't one. I will be the first to say that if I had a decent old VR my 8N would be staying 6 volt until the cows come home. Just thinking out loud.
 

[old]

Yes things can be adjusted for an 8 volt battery but an 8 volt battery is at best a band aid fix for other problems. Either fix the 6 volt and the ignition problems or bite the bullet and go to 12 volts. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a battery charge that will charge an 8 volt battery??? Well guess what you will not find a battery charger to charge an 8 volt battery. Oh on a side note you know you should never think and plug your ears. Why you ask well the pressure build up in between the ear can cause a blown mind LOL
 

[Ultradog MN]

I kinda feel for ya as you are caught right in the middle of it all - half new or rebuilt parts/battery - half broke down, cheap new crap that doesn't work.
Folks here know I'm an advocate for 12 volts and this is only ONE of many reasons why.
70 bucks is rediculously high. Then again if people don't start supporting home spun manufacturing there will be Nothing left but the China Maid stuff.
I guess at this point if it were me I would try to sell your rebuilt stuff for a reasonable amount and start over.
10SI alt is Sooo reliable that if you installed one you would likely never have to touch your electrics between battery changes. There IS something to be said for avoiding more gray hairs when you can.
Again, I'm hoping you get it sorted out.
I hate these damned if you do, damned if you don't situations.
 

[old]

One big reason I do the 12 volt Delco 10SI is I can buy them all day long for $50 or less with a core and that is with a LIFE time warranty so if it ever does go bad I take it back and get a new one for the cost of driving to town
 

[Ultradog MN]

Yes!
 

[Den N Ms]

Notjustair,Open your email in modern view or post your email and I will send you a PDF file on regulators and how to adjust/work on them.
 

[mgriff543]

Back in the good old days I could adjust most, but not all 6V regulators. It takes a very small amount of spring tension change on one of the point sets. I had the benefit of a good test bench and I could apply a load to check my work, and that makes all the difference. It's been 13 years so I can't really describe how to do it but it used to take me a half hour or so under ideal conditions so it would take a bunch of screwing around on the tractor. Back then the regulator companies were well on the way to crapifying their regulators and I was unable to reset those, so you may be butting heads with the new "improved" product.

There are those who like the 8V however (not me) and if you want the worst of all worlds, there used to be a 8V regulator for the Delco 10si, dunno if it is still available. But if your going to do that you might just as well change to 12V and be done with it (my choice). HTH Good luck, Mike
 

[souNdguy]

short answer yes.. (maybee)

many regs can be adjusted. whether they were meant to be or not..

ps.. if you wanted to you could build a field control circuit and make a solid state vreg for that genny..