Mopar Muscle Association UK

Can someone explain in complete idiot terms, what I should be getting as a reading when bench testing my voltage regulator?

Trying to follow on line tutorials and they are saying should be getting a reading of approx 1.75, but I am getting absolute zip. Can’t decide if it’s me, the regulator or the meter that’s Bananarama!.

Thank

Clueless of Shropshire…

Have you proved the meter works, have you tried it on a different scale.

When you re-install make sure there is no paint on the body, the Regulator earths via its case....

Maybe the VR is your problem.....

Thanks Pete.

Yes, the meter seems fine, but have a mate bringing a spare up just in case.

I will clean the paint away at the regulator bolt holes and recheck.

It seems likely the VR is the issue, but it was brand new, so was hoping was ok.

At least if it turns out to be that, it’s an easy fix if I can get a new one quickly.

Pete wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 22 1:12 pm Have you proved the meter works, have you tried it on a different scale.

Read exactly the same on different scales, until I got to 200m at which point it went all over the shop…

Stu wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 22 1:20 pm

Pete wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 22 1:12 pm Have you proved the meter works, have you tried it on a different scale.

Read exactly the same on different scales, until I got to 200m at which point it went all over the shop…

If you touch the Probes together on an "Ohms" scale, it should change from a "1" - Open circuit, to a "0" - Closed circuit.

That is the simple test....

Yes, did that when I was being confused and all good.

Just waiting for the spare meter to arrive and think I will assume the regulator is Bananarama!.

Seems sensible to order one in case anyway, so I have one on the shelf.

I think it is Friar Tucked, but if it was not correctly earthed on installation, that could have shortened its life....

I can't be ar$ed to test them, they are virtually consumable items with today's "quality".

This is why Blue's conversions are a good idea...

Still check the wiring for shorts to the block, etc and for any breakages...

I bet the Alternator will nor be long for this life either, they seem to mutually kill each other when one plays up...

Yes, I think it’s Bananarama!.

Tested with a nice new meter and getting the same results.

Think I may well go the denso conversion route, I’m just feeling too Bananarama! off with it at the moment and it’s becoming a money pit just to try and go for odd gentle run round.

Thanks for your help, Pete.

1 E or LLLL shaped mess on the scale indciates out of range, error, or Infinite

what do you expect to measure i.e what should you get between those pins?

if its 1.75 Ohm

You are currently on the 20,000 ohm range (20K) and you need to be on the 200 Ohm setting to measure in ohms.
The 20K range will be "blasting your circuit with too many volts"

if its 1.75 K Ohm you want
You need to be on the 2K setting its the closest to whats expcetd so choose that. to measure in K ohms for this test.

current setting is good in theory for 1000 ohms to 20,000 ohms but you loose sensitivty the 20K range is for measuring stuff that is 5K or 10 K really.

need to be set to correct scale when measuering resistance so as not to expose the circit you are measuring to too much volatge from meter.


I don't know if this test proves your regulator is good, chances are it just proves its not melted or burnt out inside.

when checking resistance your meter is basically connecting its internal 9 volt battery across trhe circuit in the regulator
the setting dicates how much grief you give the circuit by connecting that internal battery...

1) will it put up with that setting ???? probably......

2) if there are capacitors in there, then as they charge up the measured resistance will rise.. i.e it will start off small and get bigger

sorry but i don't know whats in an electronic regaulator... one presumes some kind of transistor based switch and control circuitry on a chip

keep in mind this is car circuitry so it should be good for 14 volts, i.e the chances of busting it with your reistance measuering are very low...

Dave

Thanks Dave, I’ll get my head round that in the week and try and take some learnings from it.

I have decided in the meantime that I’m fed up of crap wiring and charging problems, so I’ve ordered the Mancini kit recommended by Blue, just waiting for a shipping quote.

Hoping I can figure that out easily when it comes.

well chances are its a case of wire to stud
link all wires at regulator togther
and hope battery doesn't boil anymore

it will have instructions or mancini site will..

Dave

May not apply, but on my Coronet I replaced the old VR with a solid state version. Night and day change. Charges at near 14 volts. Really chuffed with it.

Scotty Dave to the rescue, spare voltage regulator in hand to test!

In the meantime, Mancini kit should be here at some point soon, so let’s hope that’s job done.