External voltage regulator - Competition Diesel.Com

bigc19 · 08-16-2017, 08:47 AM

Just installed a voltage regulator out of an 89 ram. I'm only ready 12~ volts now, both by meter, and the gauge on my dash. Is this normal, or is there an issue? Trucks a 94 12valve. Thanks

CorneliusRox · 08-16-2017, 09:43 AM

That's what they typically do from my experience. I don't think they ramp up to 14.4V like the ECM will do.

Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 10:06 AM

Mines right at a touch above 14 v , one from a 78 Ford .

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SCHMITTY · 08-16-2017, 10:22 AM

I know that if you switch the polarity even for a second on the regulators it fries them. At least the style they use in the late 80s dodges. I wired one up last winter and found that running a relay to the Keyed power made the regulator operate smoother. The 96' I was working on the voltage would go up down when the keyed power was ran from the fuse panel

CowboyEdition · 08-16-2017, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigc19

Just installed a voltage regulator out of an 89 ram. I'm only ready 12~ volts now, both by meter, and the gauge on my dash. Is this normal, or is there an issue? Trucks a 94 12valve. Thanks

Less than 13V is not charging. Could just be a bad connection. Check the charge at the main terminal on the alternator. Sometimes the alternator is charging but bad cable connections keep that voltage from reaching the battery.

With the external regulators, I find it works best to use a relay for power direct from the main stud on the alternator and ground direct to the alternator housing as well. Keeps the alternator from overcharging and from from pulsing since it ensures your not running through a bad connection on the truck somewhere. Here's the basic wiring:

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badbowtie · 08-16-2017, 02:35 PM

Yeah you should read at least 13.5v. At 12v you are just reading battery voltage you aren't really getting much if anything from your alternator.

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DieselWrencher · 08-16-2017, 02:51 PM

I would ditch the early dodge type and go with the ford type like Cummin12vsource posted. The dodge ones usually start overcharging a bit and your system will surge and be really noticeable at night. I've used a relay to run the dodge ones and still had the same issue of the pulsing and over charging.

bigc19 · 08-16-2017, 03:52 PM

Just to verify my wiring, I have one wire coming from my cigarette lighter as the key on power, as well as one field wire connected at the point of the triangle on the regulator. The other field wiring going to the other port on the regulator. One grounding lug running to the regulator grounding to the regulator/body. Is that all correct? It's definitely not charging. Drove it to work, back, just parked it and it won't start now.

bigc19 · 08-16-2017, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummin12vsource

Mines right at a touch above 14 v , one from a 78 Ford .

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Did you use a relay? Also, it looks like all three wires are to different posts, true? Does it matter which field post the wires go to from the regulator? Everything I've read says it doesn't matter

Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 04:41 PM

No I didn't use a relay , yes one Is wire from field post on alt , one is key switch power and ones constant power ran off the battery positive wire that goes to big post on alt

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Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 04:43 PM

the other field post I ran to ground , and I don't think it matters which one is to regulator and which one you ground , also I ground regulator .

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Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 04:44 PM

And yes this was just temporary they have ends on them and much cleaner now 😜

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bigc19 · 08-16-2017, 04:48 PM

Just to make sure I got it right, the lug going to the battery has a wire going to the alternator. Your bottom field is going to the regulator, top field to ground, then a key power source to regulator. Could you tell me which posts on the regulator you put it all to please? Hard to tell in picture. Looks like the two on the right are the far right posts, but I can't tell where your battery wire goes

Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 05:08 PM

Battery wire goes from alt big post which is constant power

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Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 05:10 PM

The farthest right is field wire from alt and then next to left is key switch power and yes top field post on alt I ground and bottom one goes to regulator

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bigc19 · 08-16-2017, 05:14 PM

Which post on the regulator does it go to?

Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 05:16 PM

Is your regulator the same as mine ?

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Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 05:24 PM

Field wire goes to (f) battery wire from alt goes to (A) and key switch power to (G) , not sure if other regulators have same letters on them or not , I've not messed with them

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Cummin12vsource · 08-16-2017, 06:12 PM

Edit that's a (S) not a (G)

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CowboyEdition · 08-16-2017, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigc19

Just to verify my wiring, I have one wire coming from my cigarette lighter as the key on power, as well as one field wire connected at the point of the triangle on the regulator. The other field wiring going to the other port on the regulator. One grounding lug running to the regulator grounding to the regulator/body. Is that all correct? It's definitely not charging. Drove it to work, back, just parked it and it won't start now.

I bet you blew your cigarette lighter fuse.

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08-16-2017, 08:47 AM	#1
bigc19 Name: bigc19 Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2010 Member`s Gallery Posts: 97	External voltage regulator Just installed a voltage regulator out of an 89 ram. I'm only ready 12~ volts now, both by meter, and the gauge on my dash. Is this normal, or is there an issue? Trucks a 94 12valve. Thanks

08-16-2017, 09:43 AM	#2
CorneliusRox Name: CorneliusRox Title: Seasoned Rookie Status: Not Here Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,154	That's what they typically do from my experience. I don't think they ramp up to 14.4V like the ECM will do. __________________ Corey - BSME '21 Tesla Model 3 Perf '22 DMax AT4 2500

08-16-2017, 10:06 AM	#3
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	Mines right at a touch above 14 v , one from a 78 Ford . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 10:22 AM	#4
SCHMITTY Name: SCHMITTY Title: Not enough time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: K beach, AK Member`s Gallery Posts: 1,183	I know that if you switch the polarity even for a second on the regulators it fries them. At least the style they use in the late 80s dodges. I wired one up last winter and found that running a relay to the Keyed power made the regulator operate smoother. The 96' I was working on the voltage would go up down when the keyed power was ran from the fuse panel __________________ stock 94

08-16-2017, 02:35 PM	#6
badbowtie Name: badbowtie Title: custom engine daydreamer Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Plainfield IN Member`s Gallery Posts: 475	Yeah you should read at least 13.5v. At 12v you are just reading battery voltage you aren't really getting much if anything from your alternator. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk __________________ 1996 3500 4x4 5spd 1991 D350 5spd

08-16-2017, 02:51 PM	#7
DieselWrencher Name: DieselWrencher Title: 6cyl Vette Status: Not Here Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mitchellville, Ia Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,886	I would ditch the early dodge type and go with the ford type like Cummin12vsource posted. The dodge ones usually start overcharging a bit and your system will surge and be really noticeable at night. I've used a relay to run the dodge ones and still had the same issue of the pulsing and over charging. __________________ 1968 Corvette 12v Cummins Compounds 47RH 1976 K30 CC SWB 12v 47RH 2000 Excursion VE 24v 47RH 4x4 1972 K30 Longhorn P-Pumped 24v 47RH Compounds Last edited by DieselWrencher; 08-16-2017 at 02:53 PM.

08-16-2017, 03:52 PM	#8
bigc19 Name: bigc19 Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2010 Member`s Gallery Posts: 97	Just to verify my wiring, I have one wire coming from my cigarette lighter as the key on power, as well as one field wire connected at the point of the triangle on the regulator. The other field wiring going to the other port on the regulator. One grounding lug running to the regulator grounding to the regulator/body. Is that all correct? It's definitely not charging. Drove it to work, back, just parked it and it won't start now.

08-16-2017, 04:41 PM	#10
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	No I didn't use a relay , yes one Is wire from field post on alt , one is key switch power and ones constant power ran off the battery positive wire that goes to big post on alt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 04:43 PM	#11
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	the other field post I ran to ground , and I don't think it matters which one is to regulator and which one you ground , also I ground regulator . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 04:44 PM	#12
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	And yes this was just temporary they have ends on them and much cleaner now 😜 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 04:48 PM	#13
bigc19 Name: bigc19 Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2010 Member`s Gallery Posts: 97	Just to make sure I got it right, the lug going to the battery has a wire going to the alternator. Your bottom field is going to the regulator, top field to ground, then a key power source to regulator. Could you tell me which posts on the regulator you put it all to please? Hard to tell in picture. Looks like the two on the right are the far right posts, but I can't tell where your battery wire goes

08-16-2017, 05:08 PM	#14
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	Battery wire goes from alt big post which is constant power Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 05:10 PM	#15
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	The farthest right is field wire from alt and then next to left is key switch power and yes top field post on alt I ground and bottom one goes to regulator Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 05:14 PM	#16
bigc19 Name: bigc19 Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2010 Member`s Gallery Posts: 97	Which post on the regulator does it go to?

08-16-2017, 05:16 PM	#17
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	Is your regulator the same as mine ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 05:24 PM	#18
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	Field wire goes to (f) battery wire from alt goes to (A) and key switch power to (G) , not sure if other regulators have same letters on them or not , I've not messed with them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.

08-16-2017, 06:12 PM	#19
Cummin12vsource Name: Cummin12vsource Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2015 Member`s Gallery Posts: 32	Edit that's a (S) not a (G) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 97cummins 2002 qclb,160 pump 5x14s,191 dvs, whc1 ,built 47re , sbc. No fuel heater or pre-filter,tork-tec adj ovf ,straight pipe 4in,tuned afc,no plate.Boost,tranny temp,egts,fuel pressure.4:10 gears 285/75/16 tires ,limited slip rear,aftermarket intercooler.