Hot Rods Upside down voltage regulator

Simple question I hope. Can you mount a Ford 12V voltage regulator upside down (cover facing down) or will this effect its function? I have a flathead with generator and it's only putting out 11.5 volts. I know there could be several issues causing this as covered in other threads but wanted to make sure I didn't make an obvious (to others) mistake by mounting my VR upside down (under dash). Thanks!

 

Did you polarize it first? If you did, then I would add that generators don't do anything at idle, you need to get them spinning. I highly doubt the orientation would have an affect on it.

 

the electricity will come out backwards.

 

Thanks for your reply. I have polarized it (several times). I didn't think the orientation would matter when I mounted it but with a rebuilt generator, new VR and new wiring (well grounded) I'm a bit stumped.

 

I'd be worried about power leaking out when its parked.

 

Ok, ok we have the jokes. But only one opinion? Has the HAMB gone soft?

 

The orientation of the regulator won't matter.

 

Yeah, there ain't near enough jokes.

 

Don't think the orientation of your regulator should matter.

Had the same problem with our roadster. Flathead power we converted to 12 vol. Paid the generator shop here to convert generator to 12 volts. Still had charging problems - Like he said, ya got to spin them...

Finally gave up and got an altenator and all charging problems SOLVED!
Got a Powergen generator look alike. Painful price, yes, but it works great. Eliminated the regulator but left it on the firewall...

 

Orientation of the voltage regulator will not make any difference at all. Mount it any way you like, it will work if it is wired correctly, there is nothing in it to run out or migrate to one side or the other.

 

shouldn't have any effects as the arms have springs on them to hold them in place , have you adjusted it yet , as they do have to be set , you cannot just slap them up out of the box unless its one of them solid state ones ( electronic)

 

man them electrons are a pain to clean out of carpeting ..

 

I would suggest to take the generator to a parts place and have them test it . You should be get getting over 12 volts. You mentioned it's well grounded. I was burning up regulators on mine and it was well grounded to the firewall, problem was there wasn't a good return path to the battery from the firewall. To test I ran a jumper right to the battery, problem identified as a bad connection through the bolts connecting the body together.

 

There are many ways to polarize various types of regulators. Be sure you are following the correct procedure for the early ford regulators.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I pulled the generator off today and took it into to be checked. The gen pulley shaft had a lot of in/out play in it so I'm guessing that's my problem. The "generator guy" wasn't in today so I'll have to wait until tomorrow for confirmation. Only got about 50 miles out of the last rebuild. I hope I have better luck the second time around.