Date:         Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:26:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Another Update: Only 13V from Alternator
In-Reply-To:  <86476e250910122241r3b1976aej2024da91fb3892d4@mail.gmail.co m>
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At 10:41 PM 10/12/2009, Loren Busch wrote:
>For an adjustable voltage reulator
>
>http://www.davebarton.com/AdjustableVoltage.html

I finally got around to installing Dave Barton's adjustable voltage
regulator in my '84 Westy today.

I bought the version with an external regulator, partly to be able to
measure the field voltage.  I bought an extra brush assembly, just in
case.  The brush assembly has spade connectors on the back, and Dave
supplies a pre-built cable to connect it to the regulator.

http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20091024/SN852132/

I had to modify the brush assembly so its housing would clear two
screws that protrude from the case of my aftermarket alternator.  I
cut and filed some of the brush assembly housing away.

http://mira.sbw.org/brushes.jpg

Probably not a good idea.  I'm sure they designed the housing
carefully.  But I wanted to see if it would work at all, and I have
the spare brush assembly.

I got it all put together, and it didn't work at all.  I get nothing
out of the alternator, and the field voltage just sits at 0.3V,
regardless of the adjustment.

I didn't have a lot of time to troubleshoot, so I just put the
aftermarket regulator back in.  That made the alternator go back to
the usual behavior: Around 13.9V at the alternator output, a little
less at the battery.

Dave's regulator looks like a quality product to me.  I'm sure I can
get it working.  Just thought I'd share the initial results.