"Went through 4 voltage regulators before I got  one to work. US made bought off EBay. one from local parts store died after a short time. Two from Rock Auto did not work. So far so good. Good luck with yours."

There were also different rating VR's for the car GEN AMP output. I don't know how that is handled in today's aftermarket.

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"The old manuals cautioned that a defective generator or charging system meant a satisfactory tune-up would not be maintained over time as the battery will become weak, and the ignition system starved for current under high speed or load."

There 'ya go. It has to have a solid basic BAT and charging system or it will not have enough reserve to operate the IGN adequately.

Used to be ... that the electrical BAT and charging system checkup was the first step in a basic tune-up.

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I just got the charging system working again in my '57 Bird. Went through 4 voltage regulators before I got  one to work. US made bought off EBay. one from local parts store died after a short time. Two from Rock Auto did not work. So far so good. Good luck with yours.

Here's your opportunity to take up the mantle! Tell those kids to stay offn yer lawn, too! You can be "that guy" and help your fellow cranks out.

I found reading up on them helped a lot, good info is kind of scarce, but it's available if you dig on the vintage auto websites and some of the tractor forums, but there's no substitute for getting grease under your fingernails. Shop manual is essential and a good analog voltmeter. The old manuals cautioned that a defective generator or charging system meant a satisfactory tune-up would not be maintained over time as the battery will become weak, and the ignition system starved for current under high speed or load.

there lies the problem with going to an auto elec, in my town anyone of them that understood generators are long gone.

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Yes, that's true. I bet they tweaked it up and down as part of the "twice a year" tune-up. I also read somebody who worked maintenance at a large dealership back when generators were widespread, I think he said out of all the mechanics who worked there (a bunch) only two were ever allowed to make voltage regulator adjustments. The manuals do have the procedure but it takes some practice.

What would happen too, lots of in town, stop and go, idling, or night driving would lead to a discharged battery. A bit higher voltage or current output helps in this situation, but that same car would then overcharge and boil the battery out if taken on a long trip. Different size pullies make a big difference as well. I think voltage regulator adjustment should be looked at as kind of a last resort, it's more likely with collector or vintage cars that corroded ground cables and wiring connections would need to be remedied before messing with the regulator itself.

If there's a solid state generator regulator out there other than the Bosch VW unit, it's pretty rare. The Clover Systems apparently went bye-bye.

It used to be that a mechanical regulator may have had to be adjusted for season, the VR being sensitive to temp change. Then you had burnt points, sticking and all kinds of possible ailments. Adjustment is described in detail in the appropriate year SHOP MANUAL.

There is a solid state VR available for a GEN..

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I wondered about that. At a slow idle, the battery is cutout and 12.50 volts is expected because no charging is taking place. Spool up the RPM to 2000 or so and then measure. If the GEN light is illuminated though, there is a problem.

Generator regulators are "always" mechanical; it is possible to use a VR from a early 70s Volkswagen I'm told, but I haven't tried it. Regulator adjustment is VERY touchy and many a battery or generator has been smoked by the "Golden Screwdriver"; they should be pre-set from the factory and very close to optimum without any adjustment needed unless Mr. Goodwrench has already been in there at some point.

Yes, but most of the graybeards are just about retired at this point or at the Whispering Pines by now. Even some of the independents who are still around though old enough to have some knowledge base it just seems like they really don't want to be bothered with it. If you CAN find a motor shop, I would agree. Take both the regulator and generator in and they can set it up.

"...the new one is from Dennis Carpenter and since fitting it I now have a gen light that starts to glow as the revs build (around 3500-4000 rpm), following their instructions I polarized it and it does put a quick charge into the battery after starting but then drops to 12.50 volts and stays there even when I have all the lights on."

Is it a mechanical VR? Any mention (instructions) of it's needing to be adjusted to the GEN?

A new battery is not always fully functional.

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