Re: Questions about your regulator.

Posted by John Regan on Sep. 15, 1998 at 10:35:53

In Reply to: Questions about your regulator.
posted by Glen Weilbaker on Sep. 14, 1998 at 14:17:02

: John,
:Judging from your pictures and description on your sight, the regulator ties to the generator output, right? Then one sets the 3rd brush to max or 15 A? Is your device a series pass type regulator? Is there a problem of heat dissipation due to a high RPM, no load situation (large voltage drop across the regulator) or is not an issue?
Glen
No the device is not a series pass regulator which would of course generate enormous heat.The 3rd brush is generally set to show a slight charge with the lights ON to thus have enough output to overcome the discharge current when running with the lights on.This generally results in a setting of between 12-15 amps.That is then the maximum the generator will ever put out.The minimum will be a trickle as set by the regulator.The generator must be entirely stock and no modification of car or generator are recommended.The regulator is connected exactly like the original cutout was.

:Your regulator must be very well designed cause all I hear is raves but I have to ask. Automotive regulators I'm familiar with control the field and yours it is just set.
Actually ours also controls the field.It is difficult to explain but suffice to point out that the 3rd brush is tapped off the armature and connected directly to the field.Thus the field is indirectly connected to the armature via the 3rd brush.With high tech methods it is possible to signal the field winding (actully fool it) thru the armature terminal and achieve a true field winding control via the armature connection.The only difference is a slightly sluggish control.Since the battery has a huge reserve it is of no consequence that the voltage regulator responds a few moments late in regulation since the battery can put out the needed current for the fraction of a second it takes to get the generator to respond.The Vreg is NOT throwing away power ever!!The Vreg equipped system is very efficient power wise.Once the battery is up to charge the generator is shut down and the case will be cold to the touch after the longest tour and no HP will be drawn from the engine.Only the bearings in the generator will produce any load once the battery is up.There is a circuit built into the vreg that shuts the generator completely off if the battery should become disconnected (usually due to a loose cable) which usually results in a burned generator when using a cutout.This ciruict looks for an abnormally high output (indicating no load) and simply shuts down the generator and waits for you to fix the problem.
Thanks for the kind words about the unit.We are happy to provide the hobby with a device to allow fun driving without the risk of generator burnout which unfortunately is the fate if you use the mechanical type cutout for very long.
Short history.We made them originally for Model T's then the Model A folks said "why can't you make them for A's which are the same except pos ground".We shortly did figure out how to do it and then started makeing them for A's.Soon the V8 folks got wind and said "how about us" and we started making them for V8's.What next?? Some Ford Tractor guys said "hey...."so we just recently started making them for tractors.We have even put them into cutout housings for other cars on special order.
See you down the road.
Model A Voltage Regulators for 3 Brush Generators