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ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR
8-31
Upon completion of the test, reduce engine speed
to idle, stop engine, and disconnect all test leads and
adaptors. Be sure that all vehicle's cables and wir-
ing connections are secure before restarting the en-
gine.
CAUTION: Be sure t h e negative post o f t h e battery
i s always connected t o ground. Incorrect battery
polarity m a y result
in wiring
harness damage and
may damage t h e alternator
rectifiers.
Do
n o t
ground t h e alternator field circuit, as this m a y dam-
age t h e regulator.
Adjusting the Voltage Setting to
Driving Conditions
The specifications called for in the voltage regu-
lator chart indicate a tolerance of
.9
volt from the low
setting to the high setting at the temperatures indi-
cated.
To maintain the battery in a full state of charge,
the voltage regulator should be adjusted to provide
the proper voltage limiting setting according to the
customer's driving and load requirement habits as
follows:
(1) Check the entire charging system and battery
as outlined in this Service Manual.
(2) If there are no defects in the charging system
or in the battery and the battery was found to be in
a low state of charge, increase the setting by .3 volt
(do not exceed specified voltage limits) and retest for
an improved battery condition after a reasonable
service period (week or two). If the battery state of
charge has increased to a satisfactory level, do not
change the voltage setting. If the battery shows evi-
dence of over-charge-(low electrolyte level, high wa-
ter consumption, excessive dampness on top of bat-
tery), decrease the setting by
.3
volt and retest for an
improved battery condition after a reasonable service
period (week or two).
CAUTION: Always adjust t h e settings
in
steps n o t
t o exceed
.3
v o l t a t a time.
(Do
not exceed specified
voltage limits.)
(3)
The proper setting of the voltage regulator is
attained when the battery remains at least 1.225 spe-
cific gravity in the winter or 1.245 specific gravity
in the summer,
with
a minimum water requirement
(not more than an ounce of water per cell per one
thousand miles).
Regulator Mechanical Adjustments
Step l-Adjust
the upper contact voltage setting
as necessary
by
bending the regulator lower spring
hanger
d o w n
to
increase
voltage setting,
up
to
de-
crease
voltage setting. Use an
insulated tool
to bend
the spring hanger (Fig. 13). The regulator must
be
in-
stalled, correctly connected, and retested after each
adjustment of the lower spring hanger.
NOTE:
If
repeated readjustment is required,
it is
permissible t o use a jumper w i r e t o g r o u n d t h e
regulator base t o t h e fender splash shield f o r test-
ing, in
l i e u o f reinstalling t h e regulator each time.
However,
it
i s important t h a t t h e regulator cover
be reinstalled, t h e regulator connections correctly
connected, and t h e regulator satisfactorily insu-
lated
by
t h e fender cover t o prevent grounding t h e
regulator terminals o r resistances. W h e n testing,
t h e regulator must
be
at t h e same attitude (or an-
gle) as w h e n installed o n t h e vehicle.
If
step
(1)
under "Mechanical Adjustments" does
not bring
t h e
voltage regulator
within
specifications, proceed t o
Step
(2)
following:
Step 2-Measure
the lower contact point gap. The
lower contact gap should be .014 inch plus or minus
,002 inch. Adjust the lower contact gap as necessary
by bending the lower stationary contact bracket mak-
ing sure contacts are in alignment.
If the lower contact gap
is
correct and the voltage
regulator setting is still outside the .2 to
.7
volt in-
crease, adjust the air gap as follows:
(a) Connect a small dry cell test lamp in series with
the "IGN" and "FLD" terminal of the voltage regu-
lator.
(b) Insert an .048 inch wire gauge between the r e g
ulator armature and the core of the voltage coil next
to the stop pin on the armature (Fig. 14).
(c) Press down on the armature (not on the contact
reed) until the armature contacts the wire gauge.
The upper contacts should just
open
and the
test
lamp should be
dim.
1
BENDING
7'
SPRING
-. .... .-
HANGER
NK108
Fig. 13-Adjusting
the Spring Tension
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