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I am sure someone has done this. I would like to take an original looking Delco voltage regulator and retro fit it with solid state internals. The car is a 1955 Olds S88 with a Delco generator. I don't want to convert to an alternator, and I want to keep my Amp gauge. The generator charges fine, but after a few failed VRs, would really prefer something solid state.
Last edited by madmax442.com; December 31st, 2023 at 05:03 PM.
The regulator pictured is for a generator. The alternator solid state regulator will not work on a generator. There was a fellow making them for the generator, but I believe he passed away and took the secret recipie with him.
That is exactly what I did on my 1971, bought the solid state regulator from a local parts store, took off the cover from the old one, painted it and put it on new one.
The regulator pictured is for a generator. The alternator solid state regulator will not work on a generator. There was a fellow making them for the generator, but I believe he passed away and took the secret recipie with him.
Thats the vr for a gen in the picture. Im keeping the generator.
That is exactly what I did on my 1971, bought the solid state regulator from a local parts store, took off the cover from the old one, painted it and put it on new one.
You have an alternator in your '71, I still have the gen in my '55. Keeping my gen and amp gauge.
You probably have said what vehicle you’re working on in your first post. Without that information we were all making assumptions.
You're correct, the OP did not state what vehicle he wants to perform the VR solid state swap. He asked a VR swap question with the picture of a VR for a generator expecting we are clairvoyant, I reckon.
Curious how you determined VR failed. You polarized the GEN, yes?
It appears the BAT post broke and grounded. Cooked gen and some wiring, im pissed to say the least, it was a new harness. I was able to rewire the 12ga armature wire and retape the harness.
You said you had failed VRs. It’s imperative you polarize GEN any disconnect but you didn’t address this in your statements. If you don’t polarize the GEN the VR will be inoperative. Additionally, it is very common for sellers to list and sell incorrect VRs. Delco-Remy made VRs nearly specific to Brand & Model.
Just be sure it’s the EXACT VR. - so many times parts stores/suppliers get this wrong. I have docs of GENs & VRs if you’re in doubt. Just need GEN MODEL # to confirm if you have doubts. If you’re going SS can’t help you there but good luck!
You said you had failed VRs. It’s imperative you polarize GEN any disconnect but you didn’t address this in your statements. If you don’t polarize the GEN the VR will be inoperative. Additionally, it is very common for sellers to list and sell incorrect VRs. Delco-Remy made VRs nearly specific to Brand & Model.
Yep Ive always polarized the gen. It failed out of no where after not touching it for months. I just want a solid state vr, still searching. My car is running fine now, I have a Napa vr122. The one that failed was a rock auto delco D618.
You probably have said what vehicle you’re working on in your first post. Without that information we were all making assumptions.
Actually, the photo of the regulator in the first post showed it to be a generator system. Note three terminals with screw-retained wires vs. four spade terminals for the 10DN-style regulator.
Actually, the photo of the regulator in the first post showed it to be a generator system. Note three terminals with screw-retained wires vs. four spade terminals for the 10DN-style regulator.
Yes, folks thought I was asking about an alternator vr. I forgot to state what year car. What about you Joe, anyone make a solid state board vr for a gen?
Actually that web page says that the VR for the 10DN alternator is solid state. It doesn't actually say that about the generator VR. I swear I've seen a solid state regulator for the GM generator but I haven't been able to find the website today. I'll keep looking.
There are no commercially available solid state controllers (voltage regulators) for any generators in the automotive supply industry, tractor supply industry or aircraft supply industry I am aware of. The liability/risks are far too great. There was an elderly 92 yr old gentleman (Jeffrey?) who in 2012 would create/make SS controllers primarily for aircraft (sometimes automobiles) on a one-on-one basis. It's now 2024. He had a business doing it and his conversions were known as the Wilton Conversion. He was a one man show (business). The old website was www.wiltonae.com. The name of the business was Wilton Auto Electric.
Doubtful you'll find anyone willing to make a SS controller for a generator.
That's awesome. I hope that works out. It's the first I've ever seen. Good Luck!
EDIT: It will prove interesting to see WHICH VRs they are able to convert. Consider following up later on down the road w/ an update on how this worked out for you. Thanks for the link.
Last edited by Vintage Chief; January 1st, 2024 at 07:17 AM.
I called Precision Power talked to Rex. I am sending in my VR shell and they said they can convert it. Didn't ask how much yet. He said he is 2 blocks from the old Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, crazy!
Last edited by madmax442.com; January 2nd, 2024 at 12:13 PM.
An update on this. I had to ship him my Delco D618 VR and he will convert it for the tidy sum of $375. Seems a bit much, let me know what you guys think. Again, this will be used with the factory generator.
An update on this. I had to ship him my Delco D618 VR and he will convert it for the tidy sum of $375. Seems a bit much, let me know what you guys think. Again, this will be used with the factory generator.
Pick your poison, I guess. You can purchase six of the original D618 VR units for the price of the SS conversion. Hope the SS conversion has a lifetime warranty, but it's doubtful.
Not really, new wiring harness was $800 and I already had to rewire the ARM wire fro VR to the generator. It nearly smoked the whole thing. I have another 50 amp breaker on that wire now. He said it was a 2 year warranty.
Not really, new wiring harness was $800 and I already had to rewire the ARM wire fro VR to the generator. It nearly smoked the whole thing. I have another 50 amp breaker on that wire now. He said it was a 2 year warranty.
For that price my personal preference would have been the alternator in a generator housing. That could be repaired by an alternator shop if something goes bad. Anything for aircraft is expensive, but the quality should be high. You may be asked to be sure it is mounted with the rubber mount gromets and a dedicated ground. I think you will be happy with it.
Yes, I considered that but want to keep my working AMP gauge. Those alternators that look like a generator are $500 as well, not cheap. I was expecting the price for the solid state VR to be in the $200s. At the end of the day, another $100 or so won't kill me. I already have rebuilt generator that works fine also that I spend over $300 on.
Got my "new" solid state voltage regulator back today, will test it on the car this weekend. Interesting, uses a 10SI style voltage regulator and a big ole' diode. Check out the pics below.
Very interesting. It looks like it would be doable to reproduce that ss regulator.. I wish I had it in hand for a closer look. Pretty sure I see what it is doing. Would like to see how the base for the reg and diode is supported from the ground base of the regulator. The black wire is the reg ground to the OE reg base. I think the red wire becomes hot when the gen starts charging from residiual magnetism. . Blue wire is field. Diode serves as a cutout with feed for red wire on one side and battery feed on the other. Pretty sure the red and blue posts are using insulated screws to prevent them from touching the new diode and reg base. Gen/Arm wire is connected to the bottom of the diode.
The regulator is a self exciting reg and would normally have a slight standby or parasitic drain, but it looks like the way this is made there would not be any drain. Being this is for aircraft a drain would not be a problem as aircraft have a master switch. I think the gen will have to have residiual magnetism for it to work. This can be done by polarizing the generator which should be done anyway. Just a guess, but I suspect the company that made this reg would want the field wire to be disconnected from the reg when polarizing the genny. Were there any instructions sent with this regulator? Pictures of the area between the diode / reg plate and the OE reg base would be great. I'm pretty sure I could reproduce these for a good bit less$. Gonna have to get my hands on one if there is a market for them.
December 31st, 2023, 06:39 AM
