Christopher Mikesell
Member
I have a VRP-4104A Autolite regulator (voltage regulator and cutout) on the GHD 6001010 6V (NEG. ground) generator which is installed on my 1954 Case SC tractor (mag ignition). Both are original to the tractor. I just took the generator in to a shop to replace a bad bearing. They reconditioned everything in the generator including turning the commutator, replacing the brush holders, and replacing the brushes with a NOS set that I found cheap a few years ago. The cutout works properly, but the VR was stuck on full charge (~20 amps).
Everything looks good under the regulator's cover (points are clean, and no corrosion), but the VR is not like anything that I have been able to find in any of the free Autolite manuals that I have found online. It has the moving point connected to the adjustable stop, not connected to the armature (which is sprung). Thus, I used a process of trial and error to determine the proper contact gap on the VR (by decreasing the gap in 0.005" increments, starting at 0.040", until it charged about right). It is now set at 0.020", and the generator outputs 8.35 V when connected to my fairly new 6V battery.
Does anyone have a newer manual (than 1952) which details the armature gap and voltage numbers for this VR? Also, it charges the battery at about 11A continuously and at about 2A with all of the lights (original type and correct CP bulbs) on and the engine at high throttle. It seems like I could and should decrease the output voltage so that it doesn't overcharge the battery when the lights are off. Also, the amp meter needle oscillates up and down about 2 amps when the lights aren't on and the VR is regulating, rather than holding steady like the one on my Case VAC. I assume that this should not be happening, and that I still need to do some adjusting.
Everything looks good under the regulator's cover (points are clean, and no corrosion), but the VR is not like anything that I have been able to find in any of the free Autolite manuals that I have found online. It has the moving point connected to the adjustable stop, not connected to the armature (which is sprung). Thus, I used a process of trial and error to determine the proper contact gap on the VR (by decreasing the gap in 0.005" increments, starting at 0.040", until it charged about right). It is now set at 0.020", and the generator outputs 8.35 V when connected to my fairly new 6V battery.
Does anyone have a newer manual (than 1952) which details the armature gap and voltage numbers for this VR? Also, it charges the battery at about 11A continuously and at about 2A with all of the lights (original type and correct CP bulbs) on and the engine at high throttle. It seems like I could and should decrease the output voltage so that it doesn't overcharge the battery when the lights are off. Also, the amp meter needle oscillates up and down about 2 amps when the lights aren't on and the VR is regulating, rather than holding steady like the one on my Case VAC. I assume that this should not be happening, and that I still need to do some adjusting.