Will any voltage regulator work?

[Nick]

I was wondering if any voltage regulator that is made to go with a starter/generator on a garden tractor would be compatable with my B-110?

[BLT]

Cautiously speaking, no. They are generally mated to a given part number generator. There might be a few part number regulators for one generator, their looks different but their function is still the same. I don't think you just take a regulator off the shelf an say yep this will do.

[Nick]

Thanks Bob, You just saved me $ 20.00. I was down at the auto parts store and they had one on their sale table (it's box was damaged)Good thing I checked here before making that purchace. all of his sale items are non returnable, unless there is a major defect.

[BLT]

There should be a part number of the regulator stamped in the base where the rubber mounts go.. They are are a seven digit number starting with 1119XXX or 1116xxx if my memory serves me right.

[Nick]

I don't have to change the voltage regulator, I just took the cover off and the inside looks brand new! The only rust is on the heads of the screws and the outside of the cover itself. there is two cardboard sleeves that sit on the threads for the screws, they even look brand new. It's pretty amazing that no water got in there since it had been sitting outside for 15 years.

[HubbardRA]

Nick, To answer your question. Yes, nearly any voltage regulator will give you the correct voltage if it is set up with the same terminals. There is, however one major problem. These units are designed to also limit the charging current to avoid overheating and melting your starter-generator. Most garden tractors only carge at about 10 amps. A larger farm tractor that will use a similar regulator will charge at 20-40 amps. If you use one of the regulators that allows a much higher current, and your charging system comes under high load (dead battery, lights, electric PTOs, electric lift, etc.) you could easily melt down your starter-generator. The correct voltage regulator will prevent this. If you keep your battery well charged, have a mag ignition, no lights or other external loads, then you could probably use nearly any DC voltage regulator because the system will never see a high charging load. From experience, I have found that you either do the research ahead of time, or you do it after you have ruined the first "high dollar" components. I have been lucky many times, in many weird setups that I have come up with. Now I can understand why some worked and some didn't.

[Nick]

I had one of my brothers idiot friends a few years ago work on my tractor it was an old Sears 10XL I wanted him to fix the at attachment lift for me. While I was not home, he hooked up the battery, with a POSITIVE ground and fried the generator, points and condenser. I was pretty pissed off about it. Don'tknow why he had hooked it up the wrong way as he is really good with small engines. He is not going to touch this B-110 at all. He already tried to claim that I had wired the electric wrong, I was was thinking how the heck could "I" hook it up wrong if I haven't even got to the electric part yet. BTW, I looked at the wiring diagram, and everything is properly wired.

quote:

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Originally posted by HubbardRA
Nick, To answer your question. Yes, nearly any voltage regulator will give you the correct voltage if it is set up with the same terminals. There is, however one major problem. These units are designed to also limit the charging current to avoid overheating and melting your starter-generator. Most garden tractors only carge at about 10 amps. A larger farm tractor that will use a similar regulator will charge at 20-40 amps. If you use one of the regulators that allows a much higher current, and your charging system comes under high load (dead battery, lights, electric PTOs, electric lift, etc.) you could easily melt down your starter-generator. The correct voltage regulator will prevent this. If you keep your battery well charged, have a mag ignition, no lights or other external loads, then you could probably use nearly any DC voltage regulator because the system will never see a high charging load. From experience, I have found that you either do the research ahead of time, or you do it after you have ruined the first "high dollar" components. I have been lucky many times, in many weird setups that I have come up with. Now I can understand why some worked and some didn't.

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[andy gartner]

Hi Nick you've gotten some solid, learned advice above. Wow, I downloaded it myself thanks Ron and Bob. Assuming it applies, recently I had a problem w/a newly purchased 70's motorcycle charging system that was frying batteries, causing acid to drip over the chrome pipes and frame. The voltage regulator looked like brand spanking new inside. Problem was, a wire in one of the coils, unseeable to the eye, had broken, keeping the regulator from limiting voltage. Might be good time to get out the old multimeter and try testing the voltage regulator, before assuming it works correctly. A

[Nick]

quote:

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Originally posted by andy gartner
Hi Nick you've gotten some solid, learned advice above. Wow, I downloaded it myself thanks Ron and Bob. Assuming it applies, recently I had a problem w/a newly purchased 70's motorcycle charging system that was frying batteries, causing acid to drip over the chrome pipes and frame. The voltage regulator looked like brand spanking new inside. Problem was, a wire in one of the coils, unseeable to the eye, had broken, keeping the regulator from limiting voltage. Might be good time to get out the old multimeter and try testing the voltage regulator, before assuming it works correctly. A

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Andy, will be testing it soon. I plan on replacing all of the electrical items except for the regulator, If, its good.

[Al]

Hi, I did some articles on regulators and starter generators, I think they are in the tech section. If they aren't there check in our web site edensltd.com and look in the tech notes. I hope to do some more articles for both in the future, no time right now. We stock parts and complete SG units and regulators for these units. GooD Luck, Al Eden

[Nick]

Thanks Al!

[UCD]

Understanding and Troubleshooting Your Tractor's Electrical System by Al Eden Briggs & Stratton Master Service Technician, Simplicity Dealer, Kohler Dealer, and Tecumseh Premier Dealer [url="http://www.simpletractors.com/service/electrics/electrical_systems.htm"]Electrical Systems [/url] <----Click Here "This series of articles will attempt to address some of the mysteries that surround electrical problems. As I go to service meetings, almost all of the manufacturers, both engine and equipment, focus on electrical problems. If it is a problem for technicians, it must be even tougher for consumers. I will start out with some VERY basic electronic theory, and then adapt it to wiring, solenoids, charging systems, etc. Please be patient and if this is too boring at the beginning, just tune it out. I believe that if you can understand what is happening when an electric current flows you can easily understand what is happening in all electrical devices". Al Eden PS. One of the many resources on this site if you search and READ