Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2000 19:40:00 -0700
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Low Alternator Voltage
In-Reply-To: <39B08407.21D8C0EC@mindspring.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I looked over this site - makes perfect electrical sence. I have Bosch 90A
alternators in both my T3s - one produces about 12.5 to 12.8 when driving
(Syncro) and the other makes 14V when driving (Westie). Same alternator
same regulator (part number) swapping regulators makes the voltage change.
The Ford regulator has my interest tweaked - my dad's F-150 is still parked
here for a few weeks so the regulator may be turned into a guinea pig!
My Bosch supplier sells users adjustable voltage regulators - they are
about $50 CAD They really caution me on installing this regulator and
adjusting the voltage too high - they used 14.5V as a top level as anything
more than that will cook (literally) the battery.
I haven't really looked into how a voltage regulator for an alternator
works, but if it is the same regulator designed used in DC circuits (like
the Vanagon speedometer) it should be fairly simple and very inexpensive to
adjust the voltage. Usually a regulator has an input, output and ground.
Adding a diodes inline with the ground will adjust the voltage.
Unfortunately in 0.7V steps if you use silicone diodes, germanium diodes
will adjust it in 0.3V steps - I'll be looking into this in the near future
I am sure!
Anyhow to answer the question of will it hurt the alternator - no, not
unless you connect it incorrectly.
At 09:37 PM 01/09/2000 -0700, Todd Last wrote:
>That is what I was hoping someone with some electronics background might tell
>us.
>I have not done this - I just saw it and it piqued my curiosity (not always a
>good thing)
>
>Todd
>'88 Westy
>
>
>Mark Dorm wrote:
>
>> So this can't hurt your alternator in any way???
>>
>> >From: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
>> >
>> >I found this web page that outlines replacing the BOSCH internal voltage
>> >regulator with an external Ford until. This is said to cure the
>> >low-voltage output of the BOSCH alternator.
>> >
>> >I've noticed a few posts on the low voltage of the BOSCH alternators,
>> >does anyone think that this could solve the problem?
>> >
>> >The web page is here: http://www.turbobricks.org/alternator_ext-reg.html
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >Todd
>> >
>> >'88 Westy
>>
>> _________________________________________________________________________
>> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>>
>> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
>> http://profiles.msn.com.
>
>
-- David Marshall - Volkswagen Enthusiast - Quesnel, BC, Canada --
-- 78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Iltis, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westfalia --
-- 85 VW Cabriolet, 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning http://www.fastforward.ca --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --
