voltage regulator question (auto)

me

[right way right]

keep tinkering and when you melt it you can get a solid state replacement at NAPA.

[djf]

I’d be lyin my azz off if I said I never broke anything before.

But honestly, I’m pretty darn good at “tinkering”...!!!

[mrmargaritaville]

didn’t meant to be a smart ass-not sure ot the age of the Impala you’re discussing but nothing is as confusing as looking under the hood of one of “today’s” cars-use to be someone could do some of their own repair work-not anymore.

[Spktyr]

Working on today’s cars is actually easier in many respects. The most difficult cars to work on are actually the carbureted domestics of the 70s and 80s with the billion vacuum lines that run for miles and miles all because the Big Three were too cheap to go to fuel injection.

Of course, it helps to have kept up to date on what’s what and not have buried one’s head in the sand with regards to automotive development for the last 30 years.

[Frankss]

I guess you have an older Chevy if it has a separate VR.
You can set it with a voltmeter and feeler gauge. You need the specs for your car(Chiltons manual will have this info)

Right way right has a good idea too, just change to a new style solid state (it plugs right in)

[djf]

OK!

Here is what it looks like:


Went out earlier and measured battery voltage turned off, as expected, measured 12.

Turned it on and measured the voltage - low load - and it came in about 14.5

Turned on all the accessories, blowers, stereo, lights on high and measured again - came in about 13.8

Turned off most of the accessories (except the heater/blower - it's still winter here!) and let it idle for about 15-20 minutes, then drove it to my mailbox and back, then shut it of. Put the charger on it and it IMMEDIATELY went to 100%.

Let it set for about 3 more minutes and it turned over and started right up.

So thanks to everyone for their ideas and opinions! Freepers rule!!