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Scotty - There's a couple tests you can run on a voltage regulator depending on the equipment you have available. If you have a variable DC power supply and an accurate voltmeter: First disconnect all wiring at the voltage regulator and remove the regulator cover. Connect the power supply + to the VR base and the - to the VR "GEN" terminal. Then connect the voltmeter at the same two points or directly across the power supply terminals. Now gradually increase the power supply voltage while watching the cutout relay contacts (the relay with it's contacts held OPEN at rest). The contacts should pull in (close) between 7.0 and 8.0 volts. Then continue to increase the voltage while watching the voltage regulator relay contacts (the relay with it's contacts held CLOSED at rest). The regulator relay contacts should begin to separate at about 8.5 volts. Now gradually reduce the power supply voltage. The voltage regulator contacts should close again at about 8 volts. Then the cutout contacts should open as the voltage approaches about 5.0 volts. ---- However if you have no power supply or voltmeter you can do this: Install the regulator then observe the ammeter as you run the engine. It should show a few amps of discharge at idle. Then as engine speed is gradually increased the ammeter should suddenly jump to the right of 0 at about 1/3 throttle. Then as speed is increased to full throttle the ammeter should stabilize somewhere between 5 and 15 amps of charge - the actual rate depending on the state of charge of the battery. Then slowing the engine back down the ammeter should swing back to the left of 0 as idle is approached. Finally when the engine is shut down it should swing briefly left to about -8 amps then settle immediately at 0. ---- Hope this make sense! Incidentally if you need a new one TISCO has voltage regulators for around $40. If you have a TISCO nearby I'd pay 'em a visit!
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