Smoking Voltage Regulator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DougL
I installed the voltage regulator LarrBeard and after starting it, the new voltage regulator began smoking. The Arm wire melted and I probably fried the voltage regulator too. I did notice this regulator is 6-volt. Could that be the issue? Thanks.
I suspect that a 6-volt regulator on a 12-volt generator is going to be fried, especially if it has actually smoked. My suspicion is that the coil on the voltage regulator relay drew way too much current and burned out. Even if that relay opened and put the control resistance in series with the field, the 6-volt resistance could not limit the field current in the 12-volt generator and after that, it was a contest as to what was going to smoke next.
You have a generator that probably hasn't been damaged - they're tough critters - and your battery has been compromised by the 17-volt high current charge condition. In the short term, I'd try a 12-volt regulator and a new armature wire. If that settles things down, you probably should think about a new battery.
Again, make sure the wires are hooked up to the right places.
(I'm not going to make any smart aleck comments about letting out the magic smoke ... )