Date:         Sun, 8 Mar 1998 14:31:06 -0600
Reply-To:     Darrell Boehler <dboehler@TAOS.MIDWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Darrell Boehler <dboehler@TAOS.MIDWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Voltage Stabilizer Blows
Comments: To: averill@LDL.NET
Comments: cc: vanagon list to post <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

--------------
Hi George,
    You can use a variable voltage regulator. I use a the  LM317T from radio
shack for many applications. The radio shack part number is 276-1778. This
unit will supply up to about an  amp of current, 1.5 to 37 volts, when using
your vans battery plus voltage the output will be limited to max battery
voltage  adjustable down to 1.5 volt.   This unit will require the 317 chip
and 2 resistors make one a variable resistor for adjusting the out put.
This unit is a 3 pin  inline setup , very easy to use and set up.   I guess
you could use a variable resistor just long enough to find the resistance
value needed, then install a fixed resistor of that value.
    Here is the way I would  wire it up   pin 1  to = +voltage in, a 240 ohm
resistor from pin 2 to pin 3 , a 5k ohm variable resistor from pin 3 to
ground, and pin 2  will be your regulated  voltage output.  use a meter to
set the proper voltage level ( 10 volts) while adjusting the variable
resistor.
    This chip will require a heat sink if you use it to supply more than
0.2 amps. Your vans application will be a lot less than this. This chip has
automatic over current shut down and is almost indestructible.

Darrell Boehler
Makanda Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: averill@LDL.NET <averill@LDL.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, March 08, 1998 12:35 PM
Subject: Voltage Stabilizer Blows


>My 84 Camper blows the voltage stabilizer (Really a 10 volt regulator which
>provides a constant 10 volts to the water temp. low water circuit and the
>fuel gage.) about once or twice a year.  The last time the regulator was
>putting out 8 volts rather than 10, and the result was a constant blinking
>of the red light and the temp. gage reading about one fourth scale rather
>than the usual half scale.  I believe that the gas gage was also reading
>low.  A new voltage stabilizer solved the problem.
>
>Question 1.  Does anyone have any ideas about why the voltage stabilizer
>keeps blowing?
>
>Question 2.  Does anyone have a source of inexpensive 10 volt regulators?
>I once used a 12 volt regulator from Radio Shack with the result that
>everything read high, but it got me by until I could find a replacement
>part. I had to reverse the leads (flip it over) to make it work.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>George (Columbus, GA)
>
>