Generator Regulator

together the BAT and ARM terminals of the

2. Voltage of the generator must be kept

g e n e r a t o r regulator with a jumper wire, or a

high enough to insure sufficient current output, but

screwdriver blade, just long enough to cause a

below operating voltage of regulator unit.

spark.

(5) After any test of adjustments, generator on

t h e vehicle must be polarized after leads are

4-47. Generator Regulator

connected, but before the engine is started (para 4-

a. General.

46 C(2)). This allows a momentary surge of current

(1) Mechanical checks and adjustments (air

to flow through generator which correctly polarizes

gaps, point opening) must be made with battery

it. Failure to do this may result in severe damage

d i s c o n n e c t e d and preferably with regulator off

since reversed polarity causes vibration, arcing, and

vehicle.

burning of relay contact points.

Caution: Cutout relay contact points

b. Removal.

must never be closed by hand with battery

(1) Open hood, remove panel from left side of

connected to regulator. This would cause a high

engine

compartment

and

open b a t t e r y c o m -

current to flow through the units which would

partment door.

seriously damage them.

(2) Disconnect battery ground lead.

(2) Electrical checks and adjustments may be

(3) Disconnect and tag leads from BAT,

made either on or off vehicle if a test bench is

FLD, and ARM terminals at regulator.

available. Regulator must always be operated with

( 4 ) Remove three nuts, lockwashers, and

generator for which it is designed.

screws that secure regulator and capacitor to left

Caution: When removing and installing

side panel and remove regulator and capacitor.

cover, exercise care to prevent touching cover

c. Installation. Reverse procedures in b above.

on circuit breaker which would cause a short

d. Testing and Adjusting. Prior to electrically

circuit and damage regulator assembly.

testing the generator regulator, check and adjust

(3) Regulator must be mounted in operating

the cutout relay armature air gap and contact point

position when electrical settings are checked and

opening (subpara (1) (a) and (1) (b) below), and

adjusted and it must be at operating temperature.

the voltage regulator armature air gap (subpara (2)

Operating temperature for regulator checking and

(a) below) and the current regulator armature air

adjusting is reached after 15 minutes of continuous

gap (subpara (3) (a) below). Electrically test and

operation of regulator with 1/4 ohm resistance in

a d j u s t cutout relay before testing voltage and

series with battery, and with regulator cover in

current regulator portions of generator regulator.

place. It is not necessary to measure amount of

W i t h cutout relay operating properly, voltage

c u r r e n t flowing during warm-up or testing of

regulator portion can be electrically tested and

v o l t a g e unit, however, it is important that no

adjusted and finally current regulator portion can

electrical load other than ignition be turned on

be electrically tested and adjusted.

during test. (If a variable resistor is used in series

(1) Cutout relay. The cutout relay requires

with the battery, set to 10 amperes for warm-up

three checks and adjustments, as follows:

period).

(a) Air gap. With battery disconnected,

(4) Specified generator speeds for testing and

measure air gap between armature and center of

adjusting.

core (fig. 4-23). If adjustment is required, bend

(a) Voltage regulator: engine governed

armature stop (fig. 4-24) up or down until correct

speed.

air gap reading of 0.025 to 0.027 inch is obtained.

(b) Current regulator.

Be certain armature stop does not interfere with

1. Generator must be operated at a speed

armature alignment.

sufficient to produce current in excess of specified

setting.

4-30