VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 adding a voltage regulator to 1927 chevy

Has anyone added a 6 volt regulator to an older car using the 3 brush gen? I did and it works ok at low RPM but at higher speeds it keeps going off-on-off-on-off. I tried a differnt volt reg and it did the same thing. (New from NAPA).

I have used a regulator made by James Peterson of Oregon on both my '28 and '31 Chevys. It mounts inside the generator so does not show. Has worked well for several years. Not too expensive particularly when you consider that I get 5-6 years use out of my Tractor Supply 6V batteries.

Why, they never were made with one, they ran for years without them, and my 28 has never had one.

But if I am missing out on an improvement please let me know, as you are never to old to pick up a handy tip

Regards

Ray

Did you use the 3 brush gen or a newer one?

Here is the post to the previous topic on this generator regulator.
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/207159/Re_Constant_Voltage_Regulator_#Post207159

http://www.ply33.com/Repair/voltreg

Thanks for the INFO. Very interesting.

The regulator uses the original three brush regulator. Basically it connects to the field (third brush) and regulates the amount of power to it. Really works well. One of the amassing aspects of using the regulator is that it only takes a few miles to restore the energy required to start the engine. Second is that you don't have to add water to the battery nearly as often. For those vehicles with batteries below the floor boards it is a blessing.

"Basically it connects to the field (third brush) and regulates the amount of power to it." copied from above.

It actually does the opposite. The third brush regulates power to the field coil. It gets it power from the Commutator and supplies it to the field coils. Power is not sent to the brush. Not trying to insult or offend anyone, just trying to clarify.

I've converted a lot of generators to regulators whenever a customer demands and I use a traditional generator regulator. I remove the third brush completely and the new regulator supplies the field current to the fields like a later two brush generator. Feel free to contact me with any questions or advice.

Jason

"Not trying to insult or offend anyone, just trying to clarify." Copied from above.

The statement I made was 100% accurate. The words in the () were only used to clarify which wire went to the field. It is the one connected to the third brush. The sentence without the () reads "Basically it connects to the field and regulates the amount of power to it."

While it is true that removing the third brush and connecting the field to an exterior regulator will work. It requires a second wire from the interior of the generator. That changes the outward appearance of the generator and also adds a non-original external regulator. Adding the regulator internally keeps the original look and provides regulation of the generator output. Hope this clarifies the situation.

Sorry Guys,

Still not sure what the benefits are from fitting a voltage regulator. I run double batteries under the floor, and only have to top up the water every 4 to 6 months. I dont do a lot of night driving, would that be where the voltage reg would help.

Cheers

Ray