Voltage regulator adjustment

[califkid_66]

I need to adjust my voltage regulator I am getting 16.48 volts
doesn’t stop charging alternator gets really hot just idling
When I pull the wire off the regulator the battery shows 12.96
I have a few books but nothing on adjusting
I remember reading how to adjust but don’t remember where
It’s a Motorola s.e.v 14v
Thanks!
Oups ! Little update! I found a YouTube video from moss motors
That explains how to adjust the regulator now my new question is
at what voltage should it be adjusted lotus s2 Renault engine
Thanks again

[jbcollier]

I like mine to be over 14.0v and under 14.8v.  The acceptable range is 13.2v to 15.2v.  If the regulator has a metal cover, set it roughly 0.5v high.  The metal cover affects the magnetism of the coil.

[califkid_66]

Thanks jb I measured the voltage output again and it was up in the
Seventeen’s I’m gonna bring it down I think it could have been one
Of the reasons my purple fan wire overheated and melted it was wired on the unfused 
side of the fuse box
Thanks again

[califkid_66]

Well I just discovered something else just before adjusting the regulator I checked on the wiring diagram and noticed there are three wires one going to the relay one going to the exitor  and a ground
The ground was not connected so I think I’m not sure but if the ground is not connected then the magnet in the regulator will not be pulled down and stay on and continue charging non stop so my problem was not bad adjustment but missing ground
Will try it later today hope this helps someone

[califkid_66]

Could not wait to check I removed the cover from the regulator touched the regulator box with the ground and as soon as I touched it I saw the points moving apart so this was definitely my problem now it’s working perfectly

[jbcollier]

Excellent!

[4129R]

Does anyone know how the voltage regulator actually works?

I know you need a steady voltage for the fuel gauge and water temperature gauge to give accurate readings, but I would like to know how the magic little box actually give a constant voltage when the input voltage varies.

[califkid_66]

Actually a voltage regulator acts a bit like a relay except a relay you give it power to go on or off
The regulator is always on it as as a magnet inside and when the battery as enough power it pulls the magnet down and pulls points apart witch cuts of the power so it doesn’t charge anymore you have a screw to adjust the voltage you want it to cut at as for the voltage variation there is a voltage stabilizer behind the dashboard just before your gages the stabilizer keeps the power at a steady voltage

[4129R]

there is a voltage stabilizer behind the dashboard just before your gauges the stabilizer keeps the power at a steady voltage

But how?

[califkid_66]

4129r the only thing I know is looking at the electrical diagram there is a voltage stabilizer it’s purpose is to reduce and maintain the voltage at ten volts for the gages I have no idea how it works but it’s there to prevent voltage fluctuations witch would give false readings

[jbcollier]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXuKOQTASE

[GavinT]

But how?

G'day 4129R,

The voltage stabiliser operates via a bimetallic strip.
The "how" is covered in this link.

https://www.minimania.com/Smiths_Voltage_Stabilizers

[BERNIEHUMBER]

HI:
To add further to this last posting, in the refereed to site you will find:"Solid State Circuits To Replace Smiths Voltage Stabilizers".
The methodology used in the original 10v regulator(by-metal & contacts)has corrosion issues with the contacts.
I built one of the revised regulators with a chip(and a bit of soldering) a few years ago and it works fine.
Its easy to do and eliminates a potential poor reading of your dash gauges.

[4129R]

But how?

G'day 4129R,

The voltage stabiliser operates via a bimetallic strip.
The "how" is covered in this link.

https://www.minimania.com/Smiths_Voltage_Stabilizers

Thank you, very clever for 50+ years ago,