TheSamba.com :: View topic - My sweat, blood, and almost tears- '66 Baja

Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:04 pm

Hey all my name's Ash and this i've been working on a '66 baja project for about a year now. It is my first VW and my first solo project so any pointers are glady appreciated 8)
I bought it last year almost complete minus the motor and I thought it would be a quick project but it's taking much longer than expected due to my curiosity and need to tinker.
Long story short I almost have it together and I've hit many a bump in the road but I've hit one that I would appreciate some input on. My buggy had been switched to 12v by a PO already, however I can't find the voltage regulator anywhere on the car :?: I'm guessing the last guy had an alternator on his motor but I really don't know.
SO here's my question... Should I mount a voltage regulator in the car (where?), get a generator with one, or just change it over to an alternator? (Btw I'm running a stock 72? DP 1600)
Also I was wondering how to tell if the PO was running an alternator and if I need to change any wiring if that was the case?
I'm overflowing with questions right now so everyone's help is greatly appreciated :D Below are some cell pics from when I first brought her home on the trailor.

Thanks bunches,
Ash

Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:08 pm

Welcome to The Samba Ash!

Good looking first ride.

If you cannot find a voltage regulator, make the jump to an alternator. It will help when you start running those extra lights.

Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:21 pm

Well it already has 2 batteries with an isolator... I know that the generator won't put out enough to keep them both charged with all of the lights on, but how hard is it to switch over to an alt? from what I remember you just need a new stand. Right now I just want to get her running and off-road so I'm kind of looking for the easiest fix.

Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:26 pm

Without seeing your wiring to determine exactly what was altered, I still say go alternator unless you have a good generator and voltage regulator.

Make the switch once and be done.

Yes, the stands are different, you will need a alt stand to upgrade.

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:20 pm

One of my buddies had an extra regulator lying around so now I get to figure out how the PO had this effing thing wired so I can get it together and I'll throw an alt in later. Thanks :D

Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:58 pm

D+ on generator to D+ on the regulator
DF on generator to DF on the regulator
61 to the idiot light.
B+ to the battery and the front of the car.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:57 am

hey you go to fullerton college right?? yeah i had the bright green bug in the yard last spring for auto.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:28 am

Hey thanks Russ :D
And yea I was rebuilding the trans in Eric's class and both axles and my diff got ripped off. I ended up getting lucky and finding one that had already been rebuilt and regeared out of a sandrail but it took forever to get in cause I was out in Denver for awhile.
You were in the day class and working with Katherine, right?

Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:06 pm

yeah i was in gordons engine class with katherine. so is baja close to running yet??