Generators and electronic voltage regulators??

Here's the deal. I am running a 12 volt generator (negative ground), an HEI distributor, and a mechanical voltage regulator. From what I have read, the gen and HEI are a no-no? Is this because of the chatter of a mechanical voltage regulator and can it be corrected with an electronic voltage regulator? And if so, can you suggest one?

I really don't want to run an alternator and looking for a solution before I cave in!

 

Why not run a point distributor? They do work, you know.

 

Help me out here what does the voltage regulator do to the HEI distributor. I have been running this combo with no problems

 

Actually the voltage profile from a mechanical regulator is very smooth because the points make and break very quickly. check it out with a test light. See how the field voltage appears smooth, it's pulsing so fast.

Electronic ones pulse the field slowly so there is a spikey kinda final voltage, not smooth. Check the field voltage with a light here too. You can see the pulses, 12V to off to 12V to off. Very slow pulses when the unit is not producing max output, which is most of the time.

 

....or an oscilloscope?

 

I used a Chrysler electronic conversion for many years with a generator. I did this back in the 90s before all the warnings. AFAIK it is still working. Maybe I'm lucky but others seem to have done it successfully too. I'm going to do it again. Same deal..Chrysler replacement electronic parts and a 12V generator and a replacement VR and Packard 440 wires.




And yes those are solid core wires too. I'm such a dare devil. Just my experience.

 

Never heard of this before and can't imagine what difference it would make.

 

The background on that old rodders tale as I have heard it has to do with many old generators not supplying sufficient voltage at low rpm to keep an H.E.I. firing, especially if the battery is low on voltage as well.
As for solid core wires, yes the "Noise" can fry many electronic ignition components and Yes many guys have gotten away with it.

 

1959 235 engine with the stock generator and point ignition, revved up enough that it's charging. I suspect the little spikes might be feedback from the ignition system? The 10x probe was connected to the battery terminal of the voltage regulator.

 

HEIs can fire under the worst conditions in the world which is what makes them so great....its hard to imagine a properly set up voltage regulator causing a problem

 

It's a NO-NO because a generator is traditional and HEI is not........

 

Another thing to consider....if you connect the ignition switch power source directly to the battery, and connect the charging system output directly to the battery (don't connect them both together, then to the battery) then the battery might help filter out a lot of the noise.

 

Thanks for the insight squirrel.

scrap metal, I agree and it's one of the few things on my car that isn't traditional. I went with the HEI Mag look a like from Joe Hunt for two reasons.
1. I couldn't find an original distributor for a 392 Hemi when I needed it.
2. I didn't know how the original Joe Hunt Magneto I have would affect my pacemaker.

 

Good explanation.....

 

Squirrel, A test light and a jumper wire is as high tech as I am. LOL

 

yeah I know what you mean, but you can't see electrical noise with a test light. Besides I needed an excuse to fire up the old Tek scope, it's as old as the truck.