1971 300 Alvah
Member
I replaced my battery, alternator, and voltage regulator about 2 years ago. That was a bit of an ordeal because I got I think 4 different alternators from NAPA until one of them worked (bad bearings, no output, etc).
Fast forward to today and I'm back having charging issues.
Battery won't crank the car the other day on my third stop near the house, I assume it's just too many short trips with all the lights and blowers going.
Get jump started, get home, with car running battery voltage is mid high 11's (great 1/4 mile ET, not good voltage).
After ignoring my problem for a couple of weeks I decide to dive into it...
Jump start car, battery begins charging, put battery on trickle charger, back in car, start car easily, voltage varies from about 12.2 (it was at 12.6 after charging before I started it) to low 15s.
Here is my plan:
Don't get a rebuilt alternator, get the alternator Alvah had when I got her rebuilt by pros locally (AB&E). I don't plan on swapping the alternator if it's just a bad regulator, but while I'm annoyed at low quality inexpensive junk parts I want to take care of potential future problems.
But I suspect my issue is the voltage regulator based on the irregular voltage.
What voltage regulator have you been most satisfied with? I'm really not looking to constantly replace this thing, I want quality and reliability. This is a daily driver for me.
Fast forward to today and I'm back having charging issues.
Battery won't crank the car the other day on my third stop near the house, I assume it's just too many short trips with all the lights and blowers going.
Get jump started, get home, with car running battery voltage is mid high 11's (great 1/4 mile ET, not good voltage).
After ignoring my problem for a couple of weeks I decide to dive into it...
Jump start car, battery begins charging, put battery on trickle charger, back in car, start car easily, voltage varies from about 12.2 (it was at 12.6 after charging before I started it) to low 15s.
Here is my plan:
Don't get a rebuilt alternator, get the alternator Alvah had when I got her rebuilt by pros locally (AB&E). I don't plan on swapping the alternator if it's just a bad regulator, but while I'm annoyed at low quality inexpensive junk parts I want to take care of potential future problems.
But I suspect my issue is the voltage regulator based on the irregular voltage.
What voltage regulator have you been most satisfied with? I'm really not looking to constantly replace this thing, I want quality and reliability. This is a daily driver for me.