Are there high and low quality electronic voltage regulators ? I need one for my '82 F-150 inline six . Is there a difference between a $ 45 and $25 model ? thank you .

 

There are differences in brands, but that doesn't always translate to differences in price as some places have them at better prices than others. I think Motorcraft is the best, but I'm not sure they aren't made in China any more. I bought a couple of years ago from Amazon and it is working well.

 

I'LL GO WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION . THANKS

 

Let us know how this goes.

 

Got a Motorcraft GR540B regulator . put it in today . With the voltmeter connected to the battery , I have 14.6 v at idle ' between 15.3 and 15 .55 v with the headlights on in fourth gear . I'll see if it discharges in the morning .

 

You still have a problem. The 14.6 is good, but it shouldn't go any higher than that. And, 15+ will boil your battery dry and cause the various lights in the truck to burn out quickly. Have you checked the diodes?

 

I am going to remove the alternator today and check the diode tree after work today . I have the info on how to check , but I can't remember what I need to do . I will need to do my homework .

 

I wouldn't have started the engine without checking the diodes as you could fry your new regulator.

 

Diode check gave me 535 ohms one way and 1 ohm the other way .

 

Sounds like you have a bad diode. But are you using the diode check setting on a meter as that should show a low #, like the 1, in one direction and infinity in the other. And I think 535 is too low. But, tomorrow I can test a couple of my known-good alternators to see what readings I get.

 

The diode checker feature on the meter checks the forward voltage drop on the diode. Depending on the diode you will get around .7v in the forward or "conducting" direction. You will get a very high reading in the reverse direction.

 

Thanks . Any new info is appreciated . I don't know what the resistance readings should be . I just know high one way , low the other .

 

Are you using a diode-check function or just the resistance scale? If you have the diode function you should use it. But, in any case 563 ohms is not close to infinity, so I think you have at least one bad diode.

Another approach is to check the AC voltage with the engine running. Google "alternator diode check" and you'll find some videos on checking the AC voltage. But your testing so far tells me you have a bad diode.