HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Tech Tips:
Voltage/Current Regulator Faults
HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC



From: Jan Eyerman [jan.eyerman(at)usa.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 4:44 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HillmanCars] Regulator Again

I have been working on the 8 or 10 regulators that I have trying to determine why all of them are "bad".  Every one of my RB106's are bad, my one RB340 is good.  This cannot be right as I know several were good 10-15 years ago and one is brand new, still in its Rootes box.  Sooooo, can anyone provide me with the resistance in ohms of the wire wound resistor?  I want to get at least one functional regulator out of this bunch and maybe several.

Jan Eyerman



From: Bernie MacIntyre [minxpei(at)yahoo.ca]
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:53 PM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Regulator Again

Jan;
I just checked my spare RB106 voltage regulator and found the resistor value to be 69.5 ohms with the voltage control relay held operated. If that relay is not operated, its contacts short out the resistor.  The resistor can be measured across terminals D & F.  It is also a way to check the contacts of the voltage control relay.  D & F should measure approx zero ohms with the relay unoperated.  When the relay is operated, the resistance will jump to 69.5 ohms.  Needless to say, the control box should be disconnected when these measurements are made or your ohm meter could be toasted !
Bernie

From: Keith Johnson [keiths55(at)bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 1:32 PM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Regulator Again

Jan

A quick answer.    ?From Me?? :–))

I will look at my working spares today and get back to you.
Perhaps also with a suggested "bench" test rig so you can prove the regulator before attaching a generator.

The possible "reason" for previously good regulators to go "bad" in storage is that the contacts have become oxidised.
Cleaning them with fine 800 to 1200 wet and dry paper or with a burnishing tool may be the cure.
Burnishing tool can be made out of a broken piece of hacksaw blade.  Grind off the teeth and lightly brush the flat sides across the wheel on a bench grinder.  This will make light scuff marks on it.
This tool passed between the contacts a few times will polish them up.  Ex Post Office/ Telecom trick.

Keith



From: Jan Eyerman [jan.eyerman(at)usa.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:25 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HillmanCars] Regulator Woes Solved

The Prince of Darkness has struck again.... that is I have figured out what is wrong with my brand new, out of the "orange Lucas box", voltage regulator.  Virtually everything is set wrong!  The cut out relay was gaped so wide that there was no way the generator could pull it shut.  A little bending brought it into place, it now closes at 12.6 volts.  The amp adjustment was so far out that even with the relay closed, it was not allowing the generator to produce any power.  Out came the manual and a screwdriver and voila, 16.5 volts at 2000 RPM and plenty of amps.

I am still carrying the spare regulator (RB340) in my parts box in the trunk but I think my new regulator should do the trick.

However, I am now looking at what it would take to make a purely electronic solid state regulator and hide it in a Lucas unit.  That should clear up my radio interference.

Jan Eyerman



References to regulators can also be found in the "Polarising a Generator" thread and others on Generators.
BACK to Tech Tips index page

HOME page