Are voltage regulaters polarized?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I noticed that when I installed the 12v regulator (weeks ago, while still positive gnd), the instructions told me to "short Arm to Bat to polarize the regulator". I wonder if I fried the regulater when I switched to neg ground.



Before I started the engine, I again shorted Arm to Bat to "reverse the polarity". I have no idea if this did anything.



Everything seems to work, but I'm not sure the battery is getting charged. I know a malfunctioning regulator can toast the generator.



-Chris

Comments

  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    I don't know about 12 volt regulators, but all 6 volt regulators (Auto-Lite) used on Hudson were designed for positive ground, and they had dis-similar metals on the voltage vibrator points to minimize burning. If used negative ground one of the points would inevitable burn away and fail. There are after-market regulators which will work either way round, and some Auto-lite ones are marked "Neg or pos ground". You shouldn't have fried the regulator by what you have done, and if the dash light is going out the generator is obviously working. However, you need to check the voltage at the Arm. terminal with the lights on and the engine revving at about 30 m.p.h. equivalent, and you should around 14.5 volts.

    Geoff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Geoff C., N.Z. wrote:
    I don't know about 12 volt regulators, but all 6 volt regulators (Auto-Lite) used on Hudson were designed for positive ground, and they had dis-similar metals on the voltage vibrator points to minimize burning. If used negative ground one of the points would inevitable burn away and fail. There are after-market regulators which will work either way round, and some Auto-lite ones are marked "Neg or pos ground". You shouldn't have fried the regulator by what you have done, and if the dash light is going out the generator is obviously working. However, you need to check the voltage at the Arm. terminal with the lights on and the engine revving at about 30 m.p.h. equivalent, and you should around 14.5 volts.

    Geoff.



    You're right. It's easy enough to test.



    BTW, where do I hook up the "Gen" light anyway? I'm using an after market regulater. I want the light to go ON if the gen is not running. Guess I'll pull out the VOM and see where current flows and doesn't when the gen is on or off.



    Thanks;

    -Chris
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Hook the lightto the A post on regulator
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