[T3] Generator/VR problem

[Kater900@aol.com]

Hi all!

I'm having problems with my generator and or voltage regulator that I'd love 
some advice on. Let me say first of all that I haven't done a lot of 
mechanical work before, so dumb it down as low as you can go....

Okay, so I was driving last week and the generator light came on, so I tried 
to get home as quick as I could, but the battery ran down and I had to get it 
charged, then get home, so I know for sure that it's not just a problem with 
the warning light. So I did all this:

replaced the brushes
cleaned the commutator
replaced the voltage regulator

I used a new Bosch regulator, wired it up exactly the same as the old one and 
polarized the generator before reconnecting the B wire- but I didn't do that 
right and the new generator fried. So I went and got another regulator, but 
the store that was in walking distance didn't have Bosch so they gave me a 
compatible one that was plastic and cheap looking. This time I polarized the 
generator correctly and started it up and the light was off, and it ran 
really well all week. Until today when the light came on again while I was 
driving, and the battery drained again before I could get home. 

My generator is 14V and the cheap regulator is 12V- is that a problem? When 
the book says the brushes should spark, does that mean that I should really 
see sparks when its ruY2дяhe belt is tight and not worn at all. The 
commutator looks used but not worn, but I have no idea what it's supposed to 
look like. I did get a volt tester timing light thingy last weekend so when I 
get my battery back from being charged,  can I use that to test the regulator 
and generator to see if they're getting charge also? The only other thing I 
can think of is that she needs a tune up really badly, which I was going to 
attempt tomorrow.  

If anyone can tell from all this if i did something wrong, please share your 
wisdom with me!!!! Or should I just take it in to my mechanic and have him 
check out the generator? Jim- I read an old message on the list that said you 
have a generator info digest that you could send......I'd love to get it.

Thanks!

kate
kater900@aol.com

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