420w 12 volt convertion troubles

The Generator should work at EITHER Positive or Negative ground once its polarized if it and the wiring are all correct. Many regulators are bi polar and will work at either ground, others may not. We gotta know what "burned up" to try n help you.

On the Gen and VR do you have:

BAT terminal wired up to load (NOT to battery side) of ammeter

GEN (or ARM) on VR to the Arm (larger of the 2) posts on the Generator

FLD on VR wired to Field post (smaller of the 2) on the Generator.

If you changed from the original POS to neg ground the ammeter leads need to be reversed or else she reads bas ackwards. The to battery (often via starter lug) side has but one wire, and the other load side has wires to the VR's BAT and the lights n ignition loads etc.

If youre sure the new 12 volt VR is positive ground compatible and shes all wired correct, polarize the Gen and see what happens. Make sure the belts good n tight, the Gen is well grounded, and the VR has a good frame case ground connection itself.

If you need a wiring diagram or more help post back or e mail what burned up and verify the wiring and let us all know.

Good Luck n God Bless

John T

To answer your question.. Quote: “it was a Delco 1118999 does any one know if it could only be hooked up to neg. ground or know one that would work” ….. Answ, most regulators will work at either ground [at least for a while] .. The usual difference is in how the contact points are coated for current directional flow. If the incorrect regulator is used it might not last long but should initially work..

The generator & regulator must also be wired correctly to function & charge correctly..

If you send me your E-Mail address I will send you a corrected wire diagram for that 420W converted to 12 volts..

To polarize the generator on that 420……..
*First make sure the battery is installed at the polarity you want to run it at & fully charged,, then ground the generator’s [F] post [smaller of the two & should also be marked with an F] to the generator’s body,, then momentarily jump battery power form the starter’s big battery cable stud to the generator’s [A] post [larger of the two & should be marked A].. You should see a spark & if so the generator should then be polarized..

Any questions just post back..

JDCooney@aol.com

Did you polarize the generator before starting the engine? If you did not, that could be the source of the problem.

Do you know if the "unknown" generator you are using is a so called "A" circuit generator?
More than likely, the Delco regulator is designed for an "A" circuit generator, and if by chance the generator you have is a "B" circuit generator, that would fry things, too.