Date:         Fri, 6 May 2005 12:32:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Adjustable voltage regulator
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Someone posted on another group about adjusteble voltage regulators. I have
a few things I'm wondering about them. Here is their post and my questions.

Someone posted on another Yahoo Group about adjustable voltage regulators. I
was wodering how well they worked; that is, if they are an effective means
to help charge a battery while running a load, or if a higher amperage
alternator is the only thing that will do this. Here is their post and my
questions. Notice that the link shows a few options, one is a direct plug-in
replacement for the voltage regulator/brush set for the Bosch.

> so.. I found this link.  It's an adjustable voltage regulator for a
> stock Bosch alternator.  Though this page refers to Volvos, I believe
> this regulator is equally applicable in our vehicles.  According to
> the author it's capable of 14.5 volts.
>
> http://personal.linkline.com/dbarton/AdjustableVoltage.html
>
> Think this'll work?
>
> - Randy Kirk

Isn't the amperage output of the alternator just as important or more
important than the output voltage, as long as the voltage is higher than the
battery voltage would be at full charge? If you've got quite a load on the
battery, i.e. lights, heater or a/c, trying to charge an aux. battery, even
if your voltage is close to 15 from the alternator, if your alternator
amperage capacity is not enough, will an adjustable regulator really help?
On my battery charger at home, it is adjustable between 10 and 30 amps, and
the voltage fluctuates up to a little over 14. What's the real story with
amperage versus voltage?

Ed