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Fixed My Voltage Regulator Today

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by PeteL, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. Aug 11, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Generator idiot light came on, wouldn't go out. (6 volt F-head)

    Opened the regulator cover, poked the solenoid contacts with my finger.
    Light went out. Life is good.

    The cover still had the original lead seal on it, never been touched since 1956. This is the kind of service cycle I can approve of.

    What are these 'solid state electronics' you speak of?
     
    cadwelder and mayday like this.
  2. Aug 11, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Be advised it will probably stick again, those contacts have a coating on them to resist arcing, once it's gone they won't last.

    H.
     
  3. Aug 11, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    My thought too, except the contacts were open when I poked them. :n:


    I expect I should check the generator's output, and brushes too. But it's all working fine at the moment.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  4. Aug 12, 2017
    mayday

    mayday Sponsor

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    I had to replace my original one on my 58 a year ago. Went through two new ones both went out with in 6 months. Got a NOS one works good. My question is can you rebuild them? I'd like to have old one fixed as a spare. All electrical repair shops were I live said they won't rebuild them.
    Thanks Jon
     
  5. Aug 12, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Even a half century ago when I was in the auto electrical business, there was very few voltage regulators that were designed to be re-build-able. The repair of one consisted of cleaning, burnishing the contacts and re-adjusting the relays. The auto regulators were riveted together (some included the cover) and the repair shop could not (economically) be able to stock the thousands of different parts needed to re-build. I did carry a variety of springs and resistors because those were pretty standard. My repaired regulators carried a 90 day warranty but only if the contacts had not been burned. As Howard said, there was a special coating on the contacts and once burned you did not know how long they would last.
     
  6. Aug 12, 2017
    lhfarm

    lhfarm Sponsor

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    I am chasing a no charge problem on my 12V CJ3a. I had the generator and voltage regulator checked and the regulator was bad. Ordered a replacement and still no charge. A friend told me that many replacement voltage regulators simply don't last or fail quickly. Does anyone have a source for a good quality regulator?

    Thanks.
     
  7. Aug 12, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I would look for NOS on ebay. They are there, especially if you do some google-fu on numbers and applications.
     
    mayday likes this.
  8. Aug 12, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Are you positive you have a good ground from the regulator to the generator? Belt tight?
     
  9. Aug 12, 2017
    Mr. Polecat

    Mr. Polecat New Member

    Fort Seybert, WV
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    I'd replace the mechanical unit with a solid-state one, personally. I know on the old tractors, the rebuilt mechanical regulators never last. :(
     
  10. Aug 12, 2017
    mayday

    mayday Sponsor

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    X2 on Petes advise, I did the same regulator was 30.00, came in an old auto light box. Put it in, polerized, and works like a champ. I'll look around for the link but I found were some one had posted an old auto light tech publication had lots of part numbers for cross reference, if I find it I'll post.
     
  11. Aug 12, 2017
    mayday

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  12. Aug 12, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Wow? Great resource, thanks.

    But I found NOS regs just by using the number given in my FSM. And yes, they were way cheaper than repro.
     
  13. Aug 12, 2017
    mayday

    mayday Sponsor

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    Thanks I printed a copy and put with all my jeep info. I'd wish I could find a test set they have in the book.
     
  14. Aug 13, 2017
    lhfarm

    lhfarm Sponsor

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    I'll need to read/study/learn about generators. Thanks and I'll get back when I find the fix.
     
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