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Is there a way to test a voltage regulator?

JohnC

Veteran Member
Senior Member
I don’t know if mine works or not. I pulled the cover to clean it up before installing and this is how it looks. I’m not an electrical expert but it looks kinda sketchy to me.

17C5C31E-FCE5-4F76-B163-D0735CA2AC7E.jpeg
 
In the old electromechanical versions when the contacts are worn out they often "weld" together causing the alternator output to go to max. Batteries boil and light bulbs blow out in that event.
Replacement of electromechanical with electronic is a good idea, just don't go low quality (read cheap).
 
This is not necessary if you do the 1 wire alternator upgrade correct? I think the AAW wiring harness has a provision for that.

Thanks for the replies.
 
This is not necessary if you do the 1 wire alternator upgrade correct? I think the AAW wiring harness has a provision for that.

Thanks for the replies.
Yes, one wire set ups don't need regulators. Modern alternators have internal regulators though with a sense wire which in my opinion is much better than a one wore set up.
One wire set ups work well if the electrical system is simple but if you have electronics such as fuel injection or a stereo system then one wires are not great due to the fact that the output voltage of the alternator is controlled at the output terminal of the alternator. Any large currents drawn form the alternator are routed through a wire from the alternator to the battery and the large current results in a voltage drop across the wire resulting in lower voltages in the rest of the vehicle.
This is (of course) dependent on how the care is wired.
Please note that the OEMs NEVER use one wire systems.
It is a complicated issue.
 
What model alternator do you have?
If you do go one wire don't get a high output alternator, get one close to the one from the factory.
 
Not sure what the model designation is but it’s old school. Not internally regulated and not high output.
 
I had considered the 1 wire alternator upgrade but I really don’t have a lot of electronics on the car. I might go that route eventually when I need a new alternator.
 
No need for it on a mostly stock ride. I run one on the Jeep, and believe it's an 80 amp, but I run electric fans and plan on some high output off road lights at a later point.....plus I ran a full new ez wire harness, so no patching.
 
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