24 volt regulators

[James L]

Who can test the old 24 volt bread box regulators. ? Thanks Jim

[skyjeep50]

If you can find an automotive electrical shop in your area, they may be able to help you. Probably won't be a chain store type outlet, probably a locally owned shop with some old hands that have been working on cars for a long time. You can also do some testing on your own. If you don't have the manuals - you can find them over at www.willysmjeeps.com in the "Downloads" section. Lots of technical help there as well.

[Joe Gopan]

Those shops usually require a matching functioning generator to test the Voltage Regulator against.

[muttguru]

Who can test the old 24 volt bread box regulators. ? Thanks Jim

Jim,
a word of advice. Before you hand the regulator over to a workshop, there are some minor checks and adjustments you can undertake.
If you have the Autolite version, find / download a copy of TM9-1825B

If you have a Delco-Remy unit, have a look at TM9-8627 which covers this version.

There's also some good information in TM9-2320-209-35 Chapter 6 (M34 and M44 trucks) which IIRC is available for free download.

If you have to take it to a shop, the TMs may be useful for them. But beware of the cost of having your old regulator repaired....it may be cheaper in the long run to buy a solid-state version of the regulator.
Ken

[WillysG740]

Jim.....
A few years ago, I had a problem with my M38 where my batteries were boiling. The electrics on the jeep are original 24 volt. I used my military STE/ICE analyzer (Standard Test Equipmt./Internal Combustion Engine) and found that the regulator output was 36 volts instead of 28 that is spec. for the M38. Little wonder things were getting hot!!! Rather than attempting to adjust the regulator myself, I took it to a local automotive electrical shop for help. The shop also got 36 volts and adjusted as far as they could go but still ended up with 33 volts, so replacement was in order. Since the shop deals with 24 volt truck systems, they suggested a $500 civilian regulator replacement that would work. I decided, instead, to get a military solid-state replacement that I found locally for $80. It was NOS packaged 19 years ago. The M151A1 series jeep used the solid-state regulator and I'm fortunate to have a large surplus dealer located nearby. The M38 has been back to normal ever since. Hope this helps..... Joe