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Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:42 pm

Does anyone restore D voltage regulators?

Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:56 pm

I'm interested, too. I have three of them. LASplit

Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:18 pm

I don't know of anyone who restores them. I have fixed a few by cleaning contacts, but more often than not the common failure is that the vibrating contact shears itself loose form the copper spring strip. If that is the case "repair" would probably involve who new guts as that part is not easily replaced. Maybe someone knows something I don't, but usually ones that have that failure are jink in my book. I could post a pic of the particular component.

Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:30 pm

I had my D Regulator and Generator both restored and balanced to one another by Glenn Cheany at Ace Alternator in Wichita KS. My High Beam lights are so bright on my split now.. they are clear white, rather than the orange they were before.

Glenn's been rebuilding these since 1955 and does an amazing job. I was originally referred to him by a friend who sends all his Porsche stuff to him. Check out the site and also, under antique machinery you can see the 40+ year old equipment he maintains for rebulding generators, starters and voltage regulators.

http://www.acewichita.com/

Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:00 am

Do you think Glenn restores 12 Volt "D" regulators as well? I have a couple of 12 volt ones that I would like to have checked out.

Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:24 am

53 0val wrote: Do you think Glenn restores 12 Volt "D" regulators as well? I have a couple of 12 volt ones that I would like to have checked out.

Bob, He definitely does. Give him a call, or email... he seems to like email a LOT!! He is about the most personable person I have ever done business with in the resto trade. He will talk your ear off about vintage regulators/generators. Sends follow up emails to make sure everything worked right... tracking numbers when he shipped it. etc etc...

GCheaney@aol.com

Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:34 am

From Their website.... about his machinery:

"The generator voltage regulator test bench Crumbliss 2420 was likely manufactured in the 60's sometime. I was using this testers little brother 1800-A in the 60's rebuilding Lucas generator regulators which we sold all over the US. That was a really decent tester this thing is awesome!! Before we acquired it, its home was a production generator regulator rebuilding factory. It's still in fantastic condition and we can dial in antique/vintage voltage regulators under actual working to perfection. All the voltage regulators/cutouts that we sell NOS, remanufactured or refurbished have to pass the load conditions this tester can place on them. When they do, they work like new on your vehicle."

Just so you know... NO... I'm not getting a kickback. :D

This all stemmed from how completely hard it was for me to find a D Regulator. They kept slipping through my hands on Ebay and every one on here was $400.00 plus. Finally that Mellow Cat of Mellow Cat's Ed Economy sold me a "core" one for 40.00 at the SoCal Vintage Treffen and that is the one I had Glenn rebuild after getting the referral from a friend off the 356 list. :)

Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:04 pm

There is a little german company that redoes old regulators.
They clean and repaint the visible hardware and replace the inside stuff
by very modern electronical units wich work safer and better than the old "mechanical" guts. Not visible from the outside.
I saw them showing their work on vintage car shows but have actually no adress. If anyone is interested I can check for a contact.

Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:34 pm

Could someone please post a picture of this mystic "D" regulator, please.?

Or, perhaps better, how to id them, maybe?

I guess I am too dumb to find a picture, it seems.

TIA....

Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:06 pm

r39o wrote: Could someone please post a picture of this mystic "D" regulator, please.?

Or, perhaps better, how to id them, maybe?

I guess I am too dumb to find a picture, it seems.

TIA....

Here is one in a pic I found in the Gallery. From above, it's shaped like a D with a cross in it.

Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:19 pm

usariemen wrote: There is a little german company that redoes old regulators.
They clean and repaint the visible hardware and replace the inside stuff
by very modern electronical units wich work safer and better than the old "mechanical" guts. Not visible from the outside.
I saw them showing their work on vintage car shows but have actually no adress. If anyone is interested I can check for a contact.

There is a gent who offers the same service here in the US.. he chips them.. and while that would certainly be a way to do it, the costs have been ridiculous in the past. Something like 300.00 to 400.00 and I supply the D Regulator. I had both my Generator AND Regulator rebuilt for less than that.

Secondly, nothing personal.. I certainly have the greatest respect for the old world craftsman of Der Fatherland... however, For US and Canadian Split Owners, there's no reason to send it to Germany if someone in Wichita, can do it just as well if not better. :)

Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:53 pm

usariemen wrote: There is a little german company that redoes old regulators.
They clean and repaint the visible hardware and replace the inside stuff
by very modern electronical units wich work safer and better than the old "mechanical" guts. Not visible from the outside.
I saw them showing their work on vintage car shows but have actually no adress. If anyone is interested I can check for a contact. Yes ,please do. Thanks.

Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:02 pm

"D regulator" ? Personally I don't see it....... 8)