Hello, I believe that the main issue with the alternator and regulator is that it's done wrong on the Vanagon and a lot of other cars. It is convenient to locate the regulator in the alternator, but in that position, it sets the voltage at the alternator terminals, not at the battery terminals where it's important. In addition, any temperature compensation for the correct voltage to charge the battery is done by the alternator temperature, not the battery temperature. In the end, it probably doesn't matter that much though. Mike |
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