R
RB
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
I am asking for help in getting educated in voltage regulators for small gas
engines. Here, I'm speaking of the kind that have a starter unit separate
from the alternator.
I'm getting all sorts of mixed signals as to what will or won't work with my
17hp garden tractor.
My dealer wants $100 for a new one, and I'm reasonably sure I can get by
with much less money out of pocket than that.
Ebay has maybe 20 pages of voltage regulators.
My contention is:
1. HP---engines or roughly the same hp should have charging systems scaled
accordingly. Is this more or less true?
2. That a 12v regulator is a 12v regulator, is a 12v regulator, as this
refers to output dc voltage.
3. That the size (amp rating) of voltage regulator matters only insofar as
your need to provide a given max charge rate to the battery---i.e., we can
use a bigger of smaller regulator than the system design/spec rate, and all
it does, if the one we choose to use is smaller, is restrict the rate the
battery will charge up.
I think I could use just about any of these that match up roughly to the amp
rating I need, the 12v rating, single phase alternator (most small engine
garden tractor ones are single phase), and 3 wires out of the voltage
regulator.
I understand the 3 wire thing is standard for simple circuits. Two leads go
to the alternator ac output, and one goes to the battery.
If the case isn't grounded, then a 4th wire is needed for a ground.
So, my garden tractor is specified to have a 20 amp system. Any reason that
just about any 3 wire, 20 amp, 12v alternator wouldn't work with my engine?
So, there are my perceptions and ignorance. Now, please set me straight.
engines. Here, I'm speaking of the kind that have a starter unit separate
from the alternator.
I'm getting all sorts of mixed signals as to what will or won't work with my
17hp garden tractor.
My dealer wants $100 for a new one, and I'm reasonably sure I can get by
with much less money out of pocket than that.
Ebay has maybe 20 pages of voltage regulators.
My contention is:
1. HP---engines or roughly the same hp should have charging systems scaled
accordingly. Is this more or less true?
2. That a 12v regulator is a 12v regulator, is a 12v regulator, as this
refers to output dc voltage.
3. That the size (amp rating) of voltage regulator matters only insofar as
your need to provide a given max charge rate to the battery---i.e., we can
use a bigger of smaller regulator than the system design/spec rate, and all
it does, if the one we choose to use is smaller, is restrict the rate the
battery will charge up.
I think I could use just about any of these that match up roughly to the amp
rating I need, the 12v rating, single phase alternator (most small engine
garden tractor ones are single phase), and 3 wires out of the voltage
regulator.
I understand the 3 wire thing is standard for simple circuits. Two leads go
to the alternator ac output, and one goes to the battery.
If the case isn't grounded, then a 4th wire is needed for a ground.
So, my garden tractor is specified to have a 20 amp system. Any reason that
just about any 3 wire, 20 amp, 12v alternator wouldn't work with my engine?
So, there are my perceptions and ignorance. Now, please set me straight.