Regulator Checking And Adjustments - Cadillac 1937 LaSalle VVI Information

15¾
E L E C T R I C A L
minals to be connected are indicated i n P l a t e 62.
Connecting these terminals with the bare ends
of a short piece of heavy insulated wire for just a
moment is all that is required.
6. Regulator Checking a n d A d j u s t m e n t s
Note: The following service operations on the
regulator should be performed only by
an experienced electrical workman hav-
ing access to an adequate assortment of
feeler gauges and suitable precision volt-
meters and ammeters. The illustrations
and instructions given apply to the
A V R Electro-Check, but they apply
equally well to the use of precision elec-
trical equipment in motor analyzers or
separate mountings.
C u t o u t Relay—-The procedure for checking
and adjusting the cut-out relay unit is similar on
all series although different regulator assemblies
are used.
T o check the cutout relay, connect the volt-
meter leads to the regulator as illustrated i n .
P l a t e 63, F i g . 8 and P l a t e 64, F i g . 12. F i g u r e 8
illustrates set-up for checking regulator u n i t used
on series 37-50, 60 and 65 cars, while F i g . 12
illustrates set-up for checking regulator u n i t used
on series 37-70, 75, 85 and 90. G r a d u a l l y increase
the engine speed and note the voltage at which the
cut-out relay points close. T h i s should be from
6.5 to 7 volts for series 37-50,.60 a n d 65 a n d from
6.8 to 7.3 volts for series 37-70, 75, 85 and 90.
W i t h the ammeter leads connected as shown i n
Figs. 8 and 12, gradually decrease the engine
speed and note the reverse- current at which the
contact points open. T h i s should be from 0 to 3
amperes.
If the readings do not come within the foregoing
limits, check the adjustment of the air gaps and
point openings. T h e air gap should be .018 to .022 '
inch measured between the armature and the core
w i t h the contact points closed on a l l series. T h e
air gap m a y be adjusted b y loosening the two
screws on the back side of the relay' and m o v i n g
the armature up or clown as required.
• M e a s u r e the point opening w i t h the armature
in the up position. Adjust the point openings by
bending the ground contact support that carries
the upper auxiliary contact. O n l y a very slight
amount of bending is required. T h e opening
should be from .018 to .025 inch on a l l series.
T h e closing voltage can be adjusted b y bending
the spring post to increase or decrease the tension
of the armature spring. Increasing the spring
tension increases the closing voltage and decreasing
the spring tension decreases the closing voltage.
Voltage Regulator—To check the voltage at
which the regulator is operating, disconnect the
" I G N " lead from the regulator and place a jumper
lead from the " I G N " to the " A M M " or " B A T "
terminals and connect the ammeter and voltmeter
leads to the regulator as illustrated in Figs. 10
and 13.
G r a d u a l l y increase the engine speed u n t i l the
generator is charging 8-10 amperes at a generator
speed of 2000-3000 R . P . M . After the regulator
has reached its proper temperature, retard the
speed of the generator u n t i l the cut-out relay
contact points open. T h e n increase the generator
speed to 2000-3000 R . P . M . and w i t h a generator
output of 8-10 amperes, check the voltage at
which the voltage regulator unit is operating
(regulator cover must be in place). A l w a y s
decrease the engine speed until the cut-out points
open after m a k i n g voltage adjustments before
taking the final voltage reading.
Note: Voltage regulator readings must be
checked both cold ( 7 0 ° F . ) and hot ( 1 5 0 ° F .
or very hot to the hand) to be sure that it
is properly adjusted.
In order to m a i n t a i n the 8-10 ampere output
while m a k i n g this check it is recommended that a
variable resistance of approximately .25 ohms be
used in the charging circuit. T h i s resistance must
be connected in series at the " A M M " or " B A T "
terminal of the regulator w i t h a jumper lead from
the " A M M " or " B A T " terminal to the ignition
terminal as illustrated i n Figs. 10 and 13. ( I G N
lead must be disconnected while m a k i n g this
check). If the charging rate is less than 8 amperes
w i t h all of the resistance out of the circuit, t u r n
on the lights i n order to maintain the output
while m a k i n g the check.
T h e voltage is regulated by slightly bending
the spring hanger to which the lower end of the
spiral spring is attached. Increasing the spring
tension increases~the voltage at which the regulator
operates a n d decreasing the tension' decreases
the voltage at which the regulator operates.
If when adjusting the regulator to the proper
voltage, it is found that the spiral lower spring
does not have enough tension to hold it in place,
reduce the tension of the upper contact spring—
but not less than the low limit specified.
Other voltage regulator adjustments are made
as follows:
A i r Gap—With the fibre bumper barely touch-
ing the contact spring post, check the air gap
between the armature and the center of the core.
T h i s gap should be from .060 to .070 inch on all
series.
Adjust the air gap b y bending the contact spring
post. If it is impossible to secure the proper cold
and hot regulator voltages, : the air gap m a y be
decreased to lower the cold setting with respect
to the hot setting or increased to raise the cold
setting w i t h respect to the hot setting.
T o check the contact point opening, hold the
armature down against the lower stop and measure
the contact point opening. V a r y the point open-
ing by adjusting the lower armature stop. T h e
opening should be from .015 to .025 on a l l Series.
C u r r e n t Regulator—(Series 37-70, 75, 85 and
90 o n l y ) — R e m o v e the jumper lead and with the
" I G N " lead disconnected from the regulator,