Something that is not mentioned here often is "water" in the battery. Speaking from experience, I let the water get low in my Eagle. It is not fun trying to jump start a car in the closed trailer. After I got it out, and added water, I didn't have any more problems.

That is something that is really easy to neglect on these old Chevrolets with it under the floor board and the floor mat. I am very guilty of not checking mine often enough. I'm really doing good if I think of it once a year. But then I'm kind of like an old dog, I know a lot of tricks but I just can't remember them!

And remember to use distilled water. I pay less than $1 a gallon. Cheaper than a new battery to keep around.

The fact that our old Chevys have a cut-out and not a true voltage regulator exacerbates the water loss. When the battery has been recharged by the generator after starting, the generator continues to pump electrons into the battery. That over heats it and 'boils' out some water. It can take a little as 500 miles to 'boil' enough water out to cause battery power loss. Many times all you have to do is restore the water level to 'restore' battery power, instead of charging.

If you turn on your headlights after a few miles driving then you will not overcharge (boil) the battery and extend its life and reduce the need to add water. I have a regulator that attaches to the band cover so its concealed inside the generator. Have used that generator on many tours very successfully. Sure helps keep the water in the battery and still have full power. A veteran 4 cyl. tour participant borrowed the generator and is working on an improved version of the regulator. Hopefully he will get it done before we both expire.

I'd be interested in seeing one of them tiny little regulators, myself...



I always wanted to use that word: exacerbates
but didn't know how to spell it, so I looked it up in the dickshunaire!

Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate
Pronunciation: \ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): ex·ac·er·bat·ed; ex·ac·er·bat·ing
Date: 1660
: to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the proposed shutdown…would exacerbate unemployment problems — Science>

— ex·ac·er·ba·tion \-&#716;za-s&#601;r-&#712;b&#257;-sh&#601;n\ noun

Thanks a bunch Chipper!

Chipper,

Do you have a schematic of the regulator that attaches to the band cover? or know where I might purchase one?

Thanks,
MRC

Boy Chip, you honestly didn't think you could throw out that kind of bait and not get a bunch of bites, did you???? Think you could expand on your plans for this regulator a little more for us?
Being a radio tinker’er, but not an engineering type, this has me real curious. Of course there are hundreds of SS voltage regulator devices available from electronic supply houses, but they need the rest of the circuit to function. You are talking about a SS voltage regulator aren’t you?
Is your goal to develop the circuit and then market a complete regulator? Or as was asked already, will you be offering a schematic for sale, or are you just planning on publishing it, maybe in something like the G&D if you are successful?
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I did not develop the regulator just purchased it. I don't have any plans to make money by marketing it, only have it available to old Chevy owners at a reasonable cost. I will PM you more specific information.

Hey Chippy Dippy.....send me a PM about the information as well.

How about that Chipper the Featured Chevy Guy and everybody want his regulator information now that is a popular guy.

Done.

Chipper,

Could you PM the regulator specifics to me as well?

Thanks, I appreciate the info.
MRC

Because of popular demand I will post the basic information here.

The guy I got my regulator from was, James Peterson, P.O. Box 884, Bend, Oregon 97709 email: jpetersonbendyahoo. It cost $ 85 plus shipping several years ago. Be sure to tell him you need a negative ground. If you want to wait a while a couple of VCCA members have shown an interest in making a better and cheaper one.

The regulator is mounted on the inside of the band that covers the brushes so is not seen. I had a few problems getting it to work well but once they were overcome it has been reliable. I was advised that the regulator could be damaged if not connected to the battery so replacing the cut-out coil and points with a diode was recommended. I continued to use the original cut-out without problems. Be aware if the cut-out fails to connect the regulator could be cooked!

I found this article on the regulator:

http://www.1928chevrolet.com/articles/voltreg.html

Well, I never thought about jump starting an old car inside an enclosed trailer. I just raised the front of the trailer up. untied the car, let it roll back and when it got to rolling in reverse let the clutch out , switch on and Chug chug chug, she started right off, but I didn't have a battery boiled dry just ran down after being in the trailer for a few weeks. What was bad was having to fix a flat on the front wheel in the trailer, next time I just borrowed a 12 volt compressor from Pushrod. one other timeit didn't start and it rolled off the trailer then I got a push start. Maybe next time I should try to wiggle into the trailer and jump her off?