Regulator question

[Brutalfly]

I was wondering where the best place to buy a 12 volt regulator would be?
Do you guys have parts numbers and prices for different stores?
I asked a lady at O'Reilly's and she was trying to give me stuff for a kohler engine.
I just thought I would ask and see

[Eugene]

Auto parts store. Take in you old regulator and the part number off the generator. They will be able to match up a regulator. Next problem is quality. Ask for a USA made regulator.

You could check the web sites for companies selling tractor parts. They frequently have photos of their products and a description indicating the application.

How many different regulators are available? One of my old catalogs has 18 pages of different regulators. Second catalog has two pages of different regulators for small engines.

[tst]

12 volt reg for a cub, part # is VR214, any part store can cross that to their part# if they do not use that

[Don McCombs]

VR898SB is the NAPA number.

[Eugene]

VR-214 comes up as a regulator for 6 volt Delco in my parts catalog.

[LeeC]

VR216 is the Standard Motor Products (made in the USA) number for the 12 volt regulator
VR898SB is the NAPA number for the foreign made unit
VR898 is the NAPA number for made in the USA unit

It is my experience that the Echlin (NAPA) USA made unit is identical to the Standard Motor Products unit, but I can get the Standard Motor Products unit a lot cheaper through a place like RockAuto

[Brutalfly]

Thank you for all your help guys I appreciate it
I was talking to a couple buddies today at work both are in their 50's and know way more about tractors than I do.
They told me that I should install an alternator instead of a regulator that way I can get rid of the generator as well and said it was much more efficient.
What are your guy's thoughts on this?
Also how much would an alternator cost?

[Eugene]

I was talking to a couple buddies. They told me that I should install an alternator.

Use search function. The topic of conversion to alternator has been discussed many times, photos included. Pro and con opinions are included. Suggesting, researching the topic.

The cost of the new 12 volt battery is the largest single cost of the conversion. Guessing, you can complete the conversion for $100 to $120-, not including the battery.

Actually, I agree with your buddies if you have a working tractor and not concerned about being "correct" for the tractor's age.

[LeeC]

He already has a 12 volt system, so I assume he has a 12 volt battery. If your generator works (did you test it?), I would go for the regulator. The biggest advantage comes from converting from a 6 volt generator to a 12 volt alternator. I say all of this, but I have thus far not converted any of my systems.

[bythepond88]

Before you spend any money, use the flow chart to verify that the regulator is the culprit, then pull the cover off the regulator and check the air gaps. I have brought two regulators back to life by doing this.

[Brutalfly]

I took the regulator apart.
I cleaned it up as best as I could.
I will post pictures of it later that way you guys can tell me what you think.

[Brutalfly]

Alrighty, here we go.
I took everything apart and here is what it looked like.
The first pic is when I took the cap off.




Left is what it looked like and to the right is what I cleaned


The meter of the tractor when not started


The meter when it is started


I completely unhooked the battery so it does not lose any juice
What do you guys think
I started it and took it for a spin and still could not get the mower to run. I could start it and then when I went to drive it the whole tractor would die.

[tmays]

Did you use the flow chart as suggested?

[SONNY]

Does the motor have ANY compression at all???

[challenger]

It looks like you have a new paint job. Remember the regulator body has to be solidly grounded to the tractor. Clean the paint off the tractor down to clean bare metal under the regulator mounting bracket.