Voltage Regulator Problems???

[James W.]

This evening I was helping a fellow member diagnose what we thought was an amp gauge problem on his '65 396 Corvette. The gauge needle oscillates or flickers to the positive side of the gauge when the engine is running at idle. It does appear to get better as the RPM's go up. We installed a replacement amp gauge and the problem persists. I did notice that if I tapped on the voltage regulator cover the gauge needle would oscillate even more. The regulator was restored by the late JP back in 2005 and has less than 1,000 miles of operation since being put back on the car.

Does anyone have any recommendations of what to test next and who is now the go-to person for voltage regulator repairs? I've checked all the wiring connections and grounds at the regulator and the bulkhead wiring connections. I can't find anything loose or installed incorrectly. I will assume it is something faulty or out of adjustment related to the regulator?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

James West

[Domenic T.]

Re: Voltage Regulator Problems???

James,
JP was the guy to go to, but it sounds like a VR problem. I rebuilt mine and polished the points along with adjusting while on the car. Then I assembled it filling it with a inert gas so the points would be non corrosive. There are still good guys out there that can do this.
My neighbor's son does wonders with old parts. ACE is his generator is his shop. I have a # in my shop if you need his help. I can't because I do mine with the engine running.

Dom

[Edward D.]

Re: Voltage Regulator Problems???

Bill Caldwell who advertises in the Driveline does conversion of original VRs to modern solid state electronics and the result appears completely original on the exterior (top & bottom) and cannot be told from contacts points without removing the cover. If you are using one of those expensive delco tar top reproduction batteries be aware that internally its a modern AGM sealed battery and will be quickly killed by overcharging caused by an old points type regulator. Old style lead acid batteries are much more tolerant of this. If you are using an AGM battery recommend you look into converting the VR. I had my personal car (a 66) "restored" original VR upgraded by Bill after killing two expensive Delco tar top repros; no problems since. No fluctuations on gauge either anymore.

[Frank D.]

Re: Voltage Regulator Problems???

A Wells VR-715 solid state voltage regulator is available at Autozone or Advance Auto for about $28....it could be swapped in in about two minutes to see if that cures the problem; if not it never hurts to have one as a "hot spare" in case the V/R in the car should fail...

[James W.]

Re: Voltage Regulator Problems???

Frank,

Already did that last weekend and it cured the problem. Now just need to get the original, dated voltage regulator to a restorer that does the solid state conversion as Edward described above.


Thanks,

James West

A Wells VR-715 solid state voltage regulator is available at Autozone or Advance Auto for about $28....it could be swapped in in about two minutes to see if that cures the problem; if not it never hurts to have one as a "hot spare" in case the V/R in the car should fail...

[Frank D.]

Re: Voltage Regulator Problems???

I did my own conversion but it sounds like the Driveline vendor above can do the job for you.