I replaced the regulator with an Americian made one last September. It died tonight. Oredered another and will discuss replacing the bad one with the seller. Really don't want to go to an alternator unless I have to. Is there and electonic regulator out there that I could possibley hide in an orgina regulator housing or a source for a rigulaor that will last for more than a few months?

It is an Americian made regulator. Supplier is Thomas J Sestak Auto parts. As far as no pulg and play on these I am aware of the fact that adjustments can be made per the shop manual. That being said I've been playing with these things since 1963 and have never done anything but bolt one on and polarize is. My understanding is the problem is poor qality of parts. It is also my understanding that modern electronic regulators are out there. Will keep looking.even though I have a new mechanical on on the way.

They "should" be pre-adjusted for cutout, voltage, and current. I bought an NOS Motorcraft service replacement that measures perfect right out of the box.

Regulators don't need polarizing. It won't hurt anything to polarize the generator, but it is not necessary when replacing a regulator.

How did it die exactly?

No idea. Started it up and the generator light came on.

Well ... that doesn't mean the regulator is necessarily defective. It does mean no charging is going on.

This is so true. I've been around electrical problems my whole life, A friend's car was close to a lightning strike which depolarized the generator from the huge magnetic field.

New regulator came in. Light still won't go off. Did some testing and could not come up with a definate answer. Have to agree with the alternator fans. Hate to do it but I'm too old to drive myself nuts with it. Ordered a Powermaster Alternator tonight. Looks like a generator but is a 90 amp alternator. Should bolt right on and still look close enough to original for my purposes. Anyone here using th Powermaster?