Temporary Regulator bypass

[usmc81301]

It turns out my regulator has went bad and it not charging the batteries properly. I have since ordered a replacement but this is my daily driver so I have to come up with a solution. My question is is there a way to bypass the regulator and have the generator dump a load into the batteries? The time I drive this everyday is not enough that it would hurt anything.

 

[usmc81301]

I will put it this way, does anyone know which post is the field and which is the armature?

 

[NDT]

Neither. The big post is the output to the batts and the pigtail is the voltage sense. There is no simple way to make the 60 amp alternator put out some fixed amount. Put a battery charger on your batts at night and you should be able to drive around 50 miles or more if you leave the headlights and heater off.

 

[usmc81301]

Thanks for the info. I don't have a batt charger since I moved out here but I will try to come up with something.

 

[papakb]

If your batteries are fully charged the truck will run for hours on them. After starting, the only thing that uses power in a diesel are the brake lights if everything else is off. I drove mine home 70 miles with a dead alternator without any problems.

 

[usmc81301]

papakb, thanks for the info but my batts were low. The voltmeter dropped basically all the way down and it turned over real slow. On that note I will be going through and cleaning all the connections and seeing how it responds.

 

[TedG]

The IP solenoid requires 24vdc to allow fuel to flow.

 

[mobileauto2000]

The VOLTAGE regulator controls the volts coming from the alternator. Bypassing it can quickly destroy your batters and burn out any electronics, Think bulbs, flasher unit, fuel pump. The batterys may be enough of a buffer to protect the electronics but i would not risk it.

 

[usmc81301]

That is a good idea. I did not even try to bypass it. I went out and bought a charger and am using that until I get my new gen and yes I did go through and clean every connection very thoroughly.