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bikeboy480 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Houston,tx
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:57 pm Post subject: Solid State VS Mechanical Regulator |
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Hey guys, my old mechanical regulator finally bit the dust and I'm replacing it with a newer solid state one. The only thing I cant figure out is where the to attach the ground wire on the newer regulator. I've been looking around and it looks like some have suggested its not needed, but that makes me very nervous. Anyone have any direction? |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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It doesn't have a 3 prong plug on it? _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16882 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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if it is the goofy looking flat one sold as a replacement, be careful. for whatever reason, i have seen 3 generators cook to death. do a search, it seems to be a problem _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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VDubTech Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002 Posts: 9142 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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I have a Bosch solid state regulator in my '65 Beetle, been running it over a year with zero problems. I did replace the generator at the same time, only because I got a lifetime warranty one from Advance Auto for like $30. And they had it in stock. _________________ First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
borninabus wrote: |
a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
notchboy wrote: |
my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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bikeboy480 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Houston,tx
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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3555 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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You do need to ground the regulator to the generator. This makes sure it senses the actual generator output voltage (e.g. big red wire to brown wire). This (supposedly) eliminates any voltage drops in the ground circuit (specifically, the transmission ground strap) from affecting the generator output voltage. That's the way it's supposed to work, anyhow. Unfortunately, with a regulator grounded to the body, there may be a fistfight between the brown wire and the tranny ground strap, so make sure it's in good shape.
I'm assuming you have an upright engine bus, as 72 and later had a mating plug on the regulator. Only early bays had individual wire terminals.
The terminals on the regulator should be labeled, so match up the terminal labels to this:
By the way, using one of these regulators on a '71 with a 38 amp generator will derate it to 30 amps. May not be a big deal unless you have a need for those extra 8 amps... _________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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bikeboy480 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Houston,tx
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 7:10 am Post subject: |
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This new regulator does not have a ground specified. I'm thinking maybe I should slide the ground wire underneath this bolt?
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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3555 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Not knowing what those two topside screws are attached to, I'd connect the ground wire to one of the unit mounting screws, such that it contacts the support leg.
Note: it appears from the picture that the D+ lug (the one with the nut and lock washer) is connected directly to the outer shell. If this is true, then the shell is at battery voltage when the generator is operating. Be careful to not let anything touch it and short it to ground...
[Picture found online]
I suspect that the actual regulator is in the small box on the bottom. The upper shell is likely isolating diodes which isolate the generator from the battery when the engine is stopped.
[Picture found online]
_________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:22 am Post subject: |
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telford dorr wrote: |
Note: it appears from the picture that the D+ lug (the one with the nut and lock washer) is connected directly to the outer shell. If this is true, then the shell is at battery voltage when the generator is operating. Be careful to not let anything touch it and short it to ground...
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If the shell is at battery voltage as it appears, then that thing would be horribly dangerous and I sure wouldn't want it in my engine compartment. That think is a wiring harness melt down and fire waiting to happen. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:28 am Post subject: |
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I'm fairly sure the shell is live on those but I think it's generator output opposed to battery voltage, either way be careful nothing touches it. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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