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External Voltage Regulator - Capacitor

NV_K5

NV_K5

1/2 ton status
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Hello - It's been a while.
I must be the only person in CONUS that needs this thing, and getting parts houses to cooperate with "old iron" is no longer fun.

I believe the external regulator is shot and attached to it is a capacitor of some sort that O'Riely and AutoZone have no idea what I'm talking about and want to give me an ignition condenser. Is this really just for noise suppression through the radio and would this be necessarily a problem to omit?

20200426_164921.jpg
 
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I dont remember there being any kind of supression capacitor on my old ones. The new one I replaced it with was solid state rather than mechanical. May have something to do w/ it too.
 
Thanks, that's actually a good thought, if it's no longer points, maybe it less disruptive to RF. I'll install w/out and see what happens.
 
I've only seen a few older GM cars with a capacitor on the external voltage regulator..most with point ignition had another condensor on the coil mounting bracket too,in addition to the one inside the distributor,for RF noise suppression..
I think the alternator has a capacitor in it to reduce RF interference too,at least the newer internally regulated ones do..so maybe one on the regulator wasn't really needed..

Wont hurt to add a capacitor far as I know..
 
Thanks, this truck had points when I got it so all this makes sense.

Long story short, does anyone have the link to the tech article or thread for swapping to internally regulated alternator?
 
I read one in a magazine way back when. I don't remember if it was Hotrod, or which one. It's pretty easy, but I don't remember the specific details. And my '72 has all of the wiring tucked into loom and secured, so getting a picture isn't going to happen. Have you tried to Google it?
 
Google shows kits and instruction videos, plus articles.
Speedway motors has a plug in kit.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. This site (CK5) was insanely popular 10-12 years ago and I'm certain I read an article here re single wire/internal regulator conversions but I cannot seem to find it.
 
I've seen the info online as far as putting a later integral regulator type alternator in a pre-71 GM vehicle by using the existing wiring from the old external regulator...
externally regulated alternator to internally regulated conversion EASY WAY gm how to - YouTube

Basically all you need is one "keyed" hot wire to the #1 terminal on the plug on the alternator,the other #2 terminal can be looped to that one ,it just requires 12V to be present at both terminals with the key "on",and you can use the existing wires on the external regulator to do that...the main red charge wire from the back stud on the original alternator simply goes back on the later one the same way..
 
You can get replacement integral regulators to convert a 10SI to a one wire setup too..
 
To bypass the external voltage regulator when using a internally regulated alternator you can disconnect harness from external voltage regulator and connect a jumper wire from terminal #1 to terminal #3, and another jumper wire from terminal #2 to terminal #4 on the wiring harness connector you disconnected. This will then complete the circuit.
We also sell on our website a molded rubber electrical connector that does this same function and also includes a new pigtail wire designed to plug into the harness at your alternator harness end that connects to alternator that then has the correct end t connect to the internally regulated alternator. $25.00 on our electrical page.
 
I bypassed the whole thing when I did my alternator replacement. I bought a one wire from summit that is internal regulated and has a speed sensitive exciter. As soon as you hit 1200 or so rpm it starts to charge on its own. Just use the output line with a wire going to the battery to charge it. I used their instructions on how it’s done and it’s been in my truck 12 years and still going strong.
 
Thanks for the comments, I ended up replacing the Alternator ($50 from Napa) and the voltage regulator (solid state from Oreily $35) only to find that the connector - the four wire at the voltage regulator was/is shorting out. Since I've already got all this new junk I'll likely just get a new connector from Speedway (GMCPaul???) and be done with it.
 
FIW the condenser on the old regulator was there to slow down the metal transfer, save the, points in the regulator. not noise suppression. Solid state doesn't need a condenser. I think just about any condenser will work if it is the same size rating or bigger.
 
Wow,it is over $25 for that condensor on E-bay!..

The voltage regulator harness plug can be had at Advance Auto in Borg Warner brand for $5.99 voltage regulator capacitor GM.png GM voltage regulator plug.jpg

voltage regulator capacitor GM.png

GM voltage regulator plug.jpg
 
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