Is there an easy way to test out a voltage regulator? Installed my generator and regulator today, red amp light continually glows.


Everything worked fine the last time I used this set up, generator brushes are new, all wiring hooked up correctly, not sure what to check next.

D;

It's difficult to check a VR stand alone...the best thing to do is to assure your wiring is as it should be (correct, clean and tight), per the wiring diargam, the brushes are still tall in their holders (and not worn down so that they don't get good force from the springs)...if the AMP light is still on full after that, swapping out Gen and VR one at a time is about the best troubleshooting technique...

Additional info at: http://www.intelab.com/swem/service%20notes.htm#AMP%20Light%20ON

Cheers

Tried to polarize system, no good. Pulled off generator again to check brushes, all fine. Rechecked wiring connections, all good. Was getting really cold and wet in the rain, with slowly rising temper becoming as red as the continually glowing amp light.

Man it ticks me off when I can't make something work, especially when all worked fine last time it was hooked up. Going to take generator and voltage regulator to electrical shop tomorrow for free diagnosis and find out if one of the components is bad, or if I'm screwing up with the wiring.

Reinstalled alternator, all is fine. Time to unwind, drink a beer, and cook a chicken lasagna, my reward for trying.

You may need to polarize your generator. There's a decent explanation of the theory and procedure here: http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/AlternatorGeneratorTheory.htm
Look under the generator heading, and there's a section on polarizing. Hope that's all she needs. Good luck!
Al A. '84 245GLT

Thanks Al, I'll give it a try, seems simple enough. Worse comes to worse, I'll put the alternator back into wagon, which isn't really a bad thing at all.

The plan was to install that alternator into Dinero the sedan, and to replace it with generator/ voltage regulator (for Bondo the beater wagon).