Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Hello,

I have a mostly stock 1937 older restoration business coupe and working to take everything back to stock.

My question, what year voltage regulator do I have? Understand 1937 did not have a voltage regulator. Engine casting shows production date July 1937.

What year generator do I have, don't think it's a 1937 as no cut out on top. As a quick fix so I may enjoy the car for the remainder of the season, what year generator can I use with my current set up?

Thanks for the help!

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Jonathan W. Ketron
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You have a 1938-1939 generator with a voltage control. Should be a three brush generator. Was a rare option for 1937.
You also have a modern replaement wiring harness designed for the generator and voltage control.
The generator is actually an up dated version of the standard 1937 unit.
The generator can put out up to 30 amps, enough to cover a radio, heater and head lamps.
The disadvantage of a three brush generator is thatt the amps drop off at higher engine speeds such as over 60 MPH in high gear,
The maximum amps are adjusted by moving the third brush The voltage control regulates the voltage and cut-out relay.
Delco also sold a universal three brush generator that could be used five different ways including with a voltage control , fan type pulley, and set up to 30 amps for older models.


Gene Schneider
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Thank you for the reply. So do I have a rare 1937 factory or dealer installed setup which could be original to this car? Or could these be upgrades some one added at a later date. I really want to make this car 100 percent period correct. If it could of came this way in 1937 then I will leave it in.

The generator, attached picture of the back showing brushes. I only see two brushes unless the third is hidden. Only part number showing on the generator is on the front of generator mounting plate, 1926761 32. What do you think?

Thanks,

Jon

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Jonathan W. Ketron
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I will take back some of my information after farther research,
The option in 1937 was a high out put two brush generator with a voltage regulator, not a voltage control.
What you have would br correct for a 1938 and 1939 only. If it were mine I woud leave it alone.


Gene Schneider
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I agree with Gene. I presume the generator nameplate is black meaning 6V generator. Wiring is neat and gen looks ok. I would use the generator as is. It looks larger than a 30 amp model and the regulator will take care of the battery voltage. Enjoy the extra output. I would not bother searching for a 3 brush model. The wiring does not change.

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To put back to original you wil need a generator that has screw holes for attachent of the cut-out, make sure the load control light switch is in pllace and proper wiring harness to hook up.The the generator third brush adjusted to max. 20 amp out put. The present pulley is OK. also the resistor for the light switch.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 09/29/22 01:27 PM.

Gene Schneider
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Many thanks for the responses to Jon’s post. We talk frequently as he continues to improve his ‘37 Master Deluxe coupe.

This generator and regulator situation has me a little confused.

I know that the standard ‘37 configuration is a 3 brush generator (20 amps max) and a voltage cutout mounted on top of the generator. I also know about the resistor in the light switch to increase the output.

I also know that in 1938 Chevy introduced a slightly higher output 3 brush generator with a 2 coil “regulator”. One coil served as the cutout and the other regulated the voltage going to the system. The current (amperage) was still controlled by the position of the third brush.

What is confusing to me is how a 2 brush generator with a 2 coil regulator system controls the amount of current.


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The two brush generator regulator controls volts, amps and cut out relay.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 09/29/22 07:40 PM.

Gene Schneider
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Jon,
Your wiring harness is clearly made to fit the setup you have. I see the number 309 on your voltage regulator.
My 1949 parts book lists a regulator number 1118309 for all 1937-1939. and says that the part number is stamped on the regulator. The word "all" is a bit confusing, since we know that most '37s used a cutout.
I would leave it as is, at least for now.

Mike


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If I remember correctly Chevy did make the 2 coil regulator the service part for the’37 system. You had to re-wire things so only the cutout coil was used.

I agree that the wiring on Jon’s car is correctly configured for the 2 coil regulator.

Based on the serial number stamped on the engine this is a fairly late ‘37 car. Knowing how inventory was managed (or not managed) at each factory they could have finished their run of ‘’37’s with a ‘38 system.


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I am thinking the styte was converted at one time The generator looks like a Universal Delco replacement generator. Delco offfered instructions for installing a replacement generator along with the instructions for the use of a voltage controll for higher amp out put.

Is there a Delco tag on the generator with a number?

Is therea three position light switch with a resistor on one of the terminals?

Also the 309 number was not sed on voltage controls untl the late1940s.


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I have a Universal Delco replacement generator on my 1936 truck. It was new in the box when I got it. It has two "ears" for the top strap. I assumed that this was to allow for mounting on either side of the engine and that the generator was used on other GM applications, and perhaps non GM, as well.
As I stated in my earlier post, the 309 regulator was listed in my 1949 Master Parts Catalog, to be used on '37-'39 vehicles. That is not to say that it was the factory installed part number, only that it is what the dealer would have sold to you as a repair part in 1949 and that is suitable for the application.

Mike


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My generator has no marking or delco tag, no rivet holes either for a tag. Reinstalled the generator and a new belt last night. Get 6.2 volts on battery with car off. Get 11.3 volts across both terminals when car is running at idle is that too high a charge? Almost is 12 volts!

Thanks

Jon


Jonathan W. Ketron
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OK I did some detective work.1938 Engineering says the 1938 will use a new generator with voltage control as introduced in 1937 as a service part.
Went through the 1937 Service News and in the March issue is describes the service kit purchased thrugh the parts department used for vehicles requiring a higher generator out put. kit part number 602738 was availabe for 8.50.

1939 PARTS BOOK SHOWS VOLT REG NUMBER 005814 for 1938 and 005858 for 1839. The 1938 being the four trrminal and the 1939 the three terminal. 1941 book lists 1118203 for 1938 and 1939 . Instructions were to not use battery wire used in 1938 with the three terminal reg. The 1118204
Reg number changed to 1118309 a few ywrs later,

Thhe Universal generator came under some number changes and some had the extra ear. It could be used form 1929 to 1937 with various wiring to adapt it to the original installation such as no volt control, etc.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 10/01/22 01:15 PM.

Gene Schneider
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The 1938 and 1939 shop manual give instuctions for adjusting voltage.
See old car manual site.


Gene Schneider
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This one still has me really confused!

That voltage is way too high. It will burn out light bulbs pretty quickly and even worse, damage the battery.

I agree that looking in the ‘38 shop manual will show Jon how to adjust the voltage. That would be my first step.

Last edited by Rusty 37 Master; 10/01/22 02:02 PM. Reason: Correction

Rusty

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Also burn the ignition points.


Gene Schneider
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In my opinion, this is not a valid configuration as shown in the pictures. The 2-unit voltage control, which is really a voltage regulator and a cutout, should not be used with a 2-brush generator. There is no current regulation, and so on some bad day when current regulation is necessary, maybe when the battery happens to be low, the generator will unexpectedly burn up.

This "voltage control" needs a 3 brush generator. The 38-39 unit sounds like it would be what is really called for here, as I believe it is a 3 brush generator with a fixed third brush, and that is what is usually used with a 2-unit regulator like the one shown.

I suspect the 37 generator could also be pressed into service with this 2-unit regulator if the 37 generator's third brush were set to the maximum current it is capable of providing continuously (not the test current from the manual which is probably considerably higher). I'm not 100% sure this would be OK but it probably would.

The generator in the pictures, being a 2-brush unit, needs a 3-unit voltage regulator. The current regulator is the third relay in the voltage regulator assembly and makes the third brush in the generator unnecessary. Using this generator with a 3-unit regulator might be the best approach, as 2 brush systems with the 3-unit regulator tend to be higher output systems.

The almost 12 volts output is a separate issue, and is probably going to lead to the generator burning up because there is at this moment no current regulation. The higher voltage might burn up the generator field as well, assuming it is a 6 volt generator. Is it? Have we identified it?

I would start by disconnecting the field wire at the generator and seeing if it will calm down. That should make it stop charging.

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Hi Bloo,

Thanks for jumping in on this thread. I agree that this is a very unstable configuration. There in no regulation of the current with that 2 coil regulator on a 2 brush generator.

The 1938-39 setup was a 2 coil regulator (cutout & voltage regulation) with a 3 brush generator. The position of the third brush controlled the amperage output.


Rusty

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I can not see were he said it is a 2 or 3 brush generater, Yes, if it is a two brush it should be replaced with a three brush.. I do have a new Universal three brush and instructions how to use it with a voltage control.


Gene Schneider
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So after a 2 hour journey yesterday I arrived home and checked the battery with the car off, it showed 11.5 volts! I will disconnect the field wire on the generator today so the battery stops charging. Noticed. Little acid came out of the top of the refill hole.

I will start looking for a 1938 or 1939 three brush generator immediately keeping the same set up I currently have so I may continue to drive the car once putting in the 38/39 generator.

According to what I have read voltage output on the regulator can be adjusted by bending the arm attached to the spring on the coil. I'm real new at this so still learning.

Jon


Jonathan W. Ketron
1937 Master Deluxe Business Coupe
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It appears to have only two brushes and no numbers at all nor a tag.

Jon


Jonathan W. Ketron
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As mentioned I have a new 3 brush three brush Delco Universal generator and instructions for using it with a volt. control.
It is basically a 1938 style generator. The third brush is set to maximum 30 amp charge for use with voltage control.

$65 + shipping which could run $40 due to weight,

Last edited by Chev Nut; 10/02/22 09:29 AM.

Gene Schneider
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Sounds good chev nut, I'll take it! So with your generator and my voltage regulator and wiring it will work in a normal safe operation where I can use all car features including radio? How would you like payment and I can PM you my address?

Jon


Jonathan W. Ketron
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Payment by personal check s prefered.......will send PM


Gene Schneider
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