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Alternator voltage regulator -- How volts drops with loads? 700 1987

Sorry if this is too obvious, but how well does a voltage regulator maintain voltage as loads are added (e.g. headlights, fan, wipers...), or is a decrease inevitable? Steep? Shallow?

Is it a pretty simple, cheap, unsophisticated device?

My voltage (1987 740) seems to sag more than I remember it used to, before
I added a cool adjustable regulator, from Dave Barton.

Yes, I adjusted the voltage (via screw), to 14+, at low load and idle -- IF I remember right... been too long. And the alternator belt is OK.

I am not worried. Would just like to get it right. :-)

Thanks!

FWIW: on a 1992 245 I got recently, it took me WAY too long to realize that scattered electrical issues (e.g. headlight bulbs blowing, 561 ECU probably pooping out anyway...) were DUE to the alternator charging at 17+ volts!

When I got the car I should have checked the "electrical fluid" (level and pressure), just as I checked the oil (level and pressure), etc. ;-)






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New Alternator voltage regulator -- How volts drops with loads? [700][1987]
posted by  Gregg Shadduck subscriber  on Fri Oct 23 03:05 CST 2009 >


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