Solid state voltage regulator for a generator

In my experience the item that usually goes bad in a generator system is the voltage regulator. I was wondering if it would be possible to wire in a solid state voltage regulator from an alternator? It could all be enclosed in the original voltage regulator box for a 100% stock appearing tractor. Often the hardest part of an alternator conversion is mounting the alternator itself. This of coure would eliminate this also. I checked on pricing for a Delco alternator an you can get a voltage regulator for under 10 bucks new. Also other systems have external voltage regulators. Would this work? How can it be done?

I used a big diode for the cutout. My regulator seemed to get me doubled battery life compared to the original VW regulator. I probably could have used the original VW regulator but my circuit worked much better. Today I'd do it differently with power MOSFETs and ICs that didn't exist then.

Its practical to take the voltage sample for the regulator from the battery so the diode drop in the cutout isn't a problem and the current at the voltage sample can be too small to discharge the battery in under several months, or smaller than the self discharge.

Gerald J.

In an alternator system, the reguator controls voltage to the rotor, and in a DC generator, the regulator controls field current.

I'd have to think about that for a bit, to figure out how to interface the two systems.

Also, the voltage regulator for a generator contains a cut-out relay that disconnects the battery at shutdown. This can be replaced by a properly rated diode, but there would be a forward voltage drop accross the diode of about .6 Volts.

There is an outfit that makes a solid-state cutout for the antique car market that also funcions as a voltage regulator. Can't think of the name at the moment, but an internet search will easily turn it up.

Email me, if you'd like. I'll actually do a little hands-on research with this after the weekend.

When I last posted, I forgot that I did a solid state regulator for the turbine generator and the Boone and Scenic Valley Chinese locomotive a couple years ago. That generator was rated to do 50 volts but they used up the world supply of 50 volt quartz lamps and now use 32 volt quartz lamps and my regulator keeps them working far longer than trying to regulate the voltage by steam pressure alone on the turbine.

For 6 volts my MOSFET would have to be logic rated and I might have problems turning it off from my chosen regulator IC.

The relay type voltage regulators were allowed to hold a 12 volt system between 12 and 15 volts, a 6 volt system between 6 and 7.5 volts. The battery is happiest at 14.2 volts or 7.1 volts and gives far better life so the solid state regulator that does that precision is far better for the battery (and the lights).

Gerald J.