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Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:48 am

I have a 1973 super beetle with a 1968 engine. It has a generator that was not hooked up when I bought the vehicle and I’m not sure what these wires are for. I think the two loose wires go to the generator ( One missing a connector ) but what is the plastic one? Also on the bottom picture I assume that is a voltage regulator but just a old Motorola version?

Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:51 am

Looks like your 1973 had an externally-regulated alternator when new.

To use a generator, you'll need to ditch that regulator and get one for a 12 volt generator, hopefully the Bosch solid state voltage regulator, and wire that all up properly.

I run generators on my 1970 and my 1971.

Mon Jan 31, 2022 11:37 am

Cusser wrote: Looks like your 1973 had an externally-regulated alternator when new.

To use a generator, you'll need to ditch that regulator and get one for a 12 volt generator, hopefully the Bosch solid state voltage regulator, and wire that all up properly.

I run generators on my 1970 and my 1971.

So the Motorola voltage regulator won't work with that generator?

Mon Jan 31, 2022 12:06 pm

If you're willing to modernize and go through the hassle, of course and internally-regulated alternator is an easy solution. The wiring is slightly modified under the back seat where the regulator was, and an alternator is in place of the old externally-regulated Motorola unit - since you already had an alternator, you won't need an alternator engine stand, but make sure the carb linkage works properly and doesn't interfere with anything.

I usually go through the hassle of putting on a new rubber post protector for the big red wire and a fresh marine-grade heat shrink ring terminal.

Mon Jan 31, 2022 12:17 pm

Matt Wilson wrote: If you're willing to modernize and go through the hassle, of course and internally-regulated alternator is an easy solution. The wiring is slightly modified under the back seat where the regulator was, and an alternator is in place of the old externally-regulated Motorola unit - since you already had an alternator, you won't need an alternator engine stand, but make sure the carb linkage works properly and doesn't interfere with anything.

I usually go through the hassle of putting on a new rubber post protector for the big red wire and a fresh marine-grade heat shrink ring terminal.

I was considering this option. Keeping in mind that the ENGINE is a 68 model, I would need new stand. The CAR is 1973 hence why the wiring is for an alternator, and best I can tell externally regulated alternators where not on very many of these cars. I'm not sure what happens to the three wires in the female plastic connector that plugged into the top of the externally regulated alternator though. Abandon them since they are to the external voltage regulator? I cannot find a wiring diagram for the externally regulated alternator. Here is the engine pic

Mon Jan 31, 2022 12:40 pm

In the 73 wiring there was a test circuit, so there's extra wires in that circuit/plug. If you want to delete them, I recommend getting the wiring diagram and a VOM with toner function in hand, and one-by-one remove them. The 73 wiring isn't too far off from 72, so if you're more comfortable reading the earlier diagram, that one is what you want. The test circuit wires are ones with little orange circles in the labeling graphic.

Essentially for internal regulated conversion, you'll have a big red wire that runs on the big post screw terminal to under the back seat, where it splits into one heavy wire to the battery (+) and the big red wire that runs forward to the fuse box. Connect those and insulate them properly. Then there's a small green wire that is for the (G) light on the speedo cluster. Under the back seat this would normally go to the regulator, but with regulator removed, you connect it to the thin blue wire that runs forward and connects directly to the light bulb holder. Up to you if you want to terminate a thin brown wire to the screw terminal, but it should be grounded through the engine block and transaxle ground strap.

If you are going through all this hassle, might as well add a hard start relay in the same location.