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rcroane 
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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 Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:14 am Post subject: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Hi folks....if I were to install a solid state VR on my ‘65 (6v) bug, what benefits can I expect to see? My current setup seems to be working fine, I’m just wondering how one of these might improve upon things.
Also, there is a $105 price difference in the one sold by CIP1 ($80) vs. WW ($185). Why?
Thanks.
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bugheadred
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2003
Posts: 666
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| rcroane wrote: |
Hi folks....if I were to install a solid state VR on my ‘65 (6v) bug, what benefits can I expect to see? My current setup seems to be working fine, I’m just wondering how one of these might improve upon things.
Also, there is a $105 price difference in the one sold by CIP1 ($80) vs. WW ($185). Why?
Thanks. |
don't fix things that are not broken |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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I bought my 65 111 "A"Sedan 50 years ago this month. Original engine, trans, generator and voltage regulator. Just drove it 25 miles this morning and it turned over 174,000. What better track record could you hope for???
It does what it was designed to do very well with what it came with originally. |
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rcroane
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Guess I got my answer....I’ll leave well enough alone. Thanks for the replies. Mine is also an original engine car....124,000 miles. I have no reason to believe the VR and generator aren’t orignal to the engine.
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'64cal lookdub
1200 Deluxe
Joined: May 29, 2004
Posts: 1714
Location: TX
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| I was going to give one a try last year when one of my Chinese ones went out. I've talked to a few running them and they're ok so far. The WW one looks like the early style and the CIP1 looks later style like a '66. |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| FYI, Regulators are so east to take apart and rebuild. |
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gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13846
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 11:00 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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If it is not broke leave it alone. You asked ""Solid state voltage regulator benefits?"" No moving parts.
Rock auto has one for forty three bucks.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26307
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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43 bucks at Rockauto? I think you'd have to prove to me that a Standard VR218 is solid state, it sure looks like a points (electro-mechanical) regulator to me.
Anyway, while I swear by using 12V solid state regulators, not sure if I'd go that route on 6V as long as the existing setup is working OK. Now if it came time to replace a 6V regulator, yes, then I would jump to a SSR.
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Andy T.
IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox. |
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Danwvw
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26307
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Yah, that's probably the link to what the original poster was talking about when he said:
| Quote: |
| Also, there is a $105 price difference in the one sold by CIP1 ($80) vs. WW ($185). Why? |
And here's the link to the other one:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113903801E
Also, this is not the first time this question has been asked, but I don't think it was ever answered.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=694365
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Andy T.
IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox. |
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rcroane
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:55 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Thanks for the replies. Let me explain why I asked my original question. I’ve been making some upgrades to my 6v system to give it a little help in its old age....everything was “working”, but I was able to give it a boost with a few things. Here’s what I’ve done so far....
1) Replaced turn signal flasher with electronic flasher from WW
2) Added LED tail/brake lights and rear turn signals
3) Added horn relay
4) Replaced floor dimmer switch with ‘66 style dimmer button and relay
5) Replaced dead battery with Optima red top
So, that’s why I was wondering if I would get any more benefit from the solid state VR.
Thanks again.
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gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13846
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Have you cleaned up all of the electrical connections? That alone on a 6v system will help a whole bunch. You could gain as much as a half of volt.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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rcroane
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| gt1953 wrote: |
| Have you cleaned up all of the electrical connections? That alone on a 6v system will help a whole bunch. You could gain as much as a half of volt. |
Yep...probably not perfectly, but I think I did a good job. Like I said, everything was working ok, but had issues like the horn would not work with the lights on, signals were slow, brake lights did not come on instantly. I think some of these are "normal" for a properly working 6v system. My changes were just to introduce some modern technology into the stock systems. And it was important to me that all the changes were completely reversable.
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 2936
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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I found the electronic VR to be more stable and doing a better job in charging than the mechanical bosch one it replaced. The mech bosch one has a manual on how to adjust it. No manual needed for this.
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Eric&Barb
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Helfen
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Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:02 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| rcroane wrote: |
| gt1953 wrote: |
| Have you cleaned up all of the electrical connections? That alone on a 6v system will help a whole bunch. You could gain as much as a half of volt. |
Yep...probably not perfectly, but I think I did a good job. Like I said, everything was working ok, but had issues like the horn would not work with the lights on, signals were slow, brake lights did not come on instantly. I think some of these are "normal" for a properly working 6v system. My changes were just to introduce some modern technology into the stock systems. And it was important to me that all the changes were completely reversible. |
Many of us have had those problems you describe. I had problems with the horn and the turn signals with the lights on. The horn was a ground problem and easy to fix. With the turn signals it was the flasher unit, so just like repairing a voltage regulator you disassemble it and repair it. I took the flasher apart cleaned contacts and re-adjusted the timing devise and it's good as new. Remember many of the old parts are better than this new throw away stuff replacement parts. |
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rcroane
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| Helfen wrote: |
| rcroane wrote: |
| gt1953 wrote: |
| Have you cleaned up all of the electrical connections? That alone on a 6v system will help a whole bunch. You could gain as much as a half of volt. |
Yep...probably not perfectly, but I think I did a good job. Like I said, everything was working ok, but had issues like the horn would not work with the lights on, signals were slow, brake lights did not come on instantly. I think some of these are "normal" for a properly working 6v system. My changes were just to introduce some modern technology into the stock systems. And it was important to me that all the changes were completely reversible. |
Many of us have had those problems you describe. I had problems with the horn and the turn signals with the lights on. The horn was a ground problem and easy to fix. With the turn signals it was the flasher unit, so just like repairing a voltage regulator you disassemble it and repair it. I took the flasher apart cleaned contacts and re-adjusted the timing devise and it's good as new. Remember many of the old parts are better than this new throw away stuff replacement parts. |
Thanks. I understand your point, but I was looking to improve on "good as new". I'm normally a "keep it stock" guy, but I made these changes primarily to improve the ability of other cars to see me better when turning, braking, driving at night, etc.
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gt1953
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13846
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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Like at the head lights...remove both of them and turn on the headlights. measure the voltage. Now disconnect the battery, reclean and make all of the connections bright and shiny, all of the fuse block fuse holders connections, grounds etc. Reconnect battery and measure voltage again. Post results.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 33994
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| rcroane wrote: |
| Thanks. I understand your point, but I was looking to improve on "good as new". I'm normally a "keep it stock" guy, but I made these changes primarily to improve the ability of other cars to see me better when turning, braking, driving at night, etc. |
30 years ago I had the same goals. I ran a new, thicker wire from the regulator hot terminal to the dash, soldered all connections, and went to Bosch e-code halogen H4 headlamps. A lot of work, not much cost, but they are now bright and very visible, plus I can see down the road 100% better.
More recently, on my 12V car, I used LED bulbs for running, brake, and turn lights. Now my brake and signal lights are instant-on and bright. The bulbs aren't cheap, but especially for brake and turn lights, the brightness and instant-on are a great improvement over conventional bulbs, in terms of my visibility to other drivers.
Last year I DID replace my original 12V regulator from 1970, but not for performance; it started clicking, which is the warning it is near death. The solid state works fine, but as expected I am seeing no change in brightness in my lighting as a result. |
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rcroane
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 2000
Location: Springfield, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:45 am Post subject: Re: Solid state voltage regulator benefits? |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| rcroane wrote: |
| Thanks. I understand your point, but I was looking to improve on "good as new". I'm normally a "keep it stock" guy, but I made these changes primarily to improve the ability of other cars to see me better when turning, braking, driving at night, etc. |
30 years ago I had the same goals. I ran a new, thicker wire from the regulator hot terminal to the dash, soldered all connections, and went to Bosch e-code halogen H4 headlamps. A lot of work, not much cost, but they are now bright and very visible, plus I can see down the road 100% better.
More recently, on my 12V car, I used LED bulbs for running, brake, and turn lights. Now my brake and signal lights are instant-on and bright. The bulbs aren't cheap, but especially for brake and turn lights, the brightness and instant-on are a great improvement over conventional bulbs, in terms of my visibility to other drivers.
Last year I DID replace my original 12V regulator from 1970, but not for performance; it started clicking, which is the warning it is near death. The solid state works fine, but as expected I am seeing no change in brightness in my lighting as a result. |
Thanks again for all the replies. If and when my VR shows signs of problems, I'll go the solid state route. Until then, I'll leave well enough alone since it seems I would not see any added benefit from switching now.
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