Ok I bought a 1963 econoline and when I got it the seller told me that the regulator light has been on for some time and needed to be addressed. I went and bought a new regulator but soon learned after looking that I have a alternator not a generator. I am pretty sure I don't need the external regulator since the alternator should have it built in already. So how do I bypass the regulator?

I will take some pics tomorrow and I really hope someone can help me out? PLEASE..................

 

A 1963 Econoline came stock with a generator, not an alternator.

Someone might have replaced the generator with an alternator. If so, they should have gotten the regulator that goes with that alternator. The generator regulator is not designed to work with the alternator.

Also, I remember that you have to put a resistor across the generator light when you replace the generator with a alternator. I don't remember what size. That might be why your light is on.

There are modern one-wire alternators that have an internal regulator, which eliminates the extra wiring associated with an external regulator. There is some debate as to wether these work better or worse than the ones with the external regulators.

 

I have a 1981 ford van, new alt and volt. reg there is a problem withdash cluster and i need to by pass alt light to move this van. how do i do it

 

On whether you need the regulator or not depends on what alternator is used. Older Ford Alternators used an external regulator. If this is an older modification then it may have a Ford alternator with the external regulator. You can either replace it with a 1 wire alternator, or buy a regulator for a 1965+ vehicle with an alternator ( 1965 was the change year for most Fords).

 

fyi.. i just replaced my regulator on my 66 with a 240 l6. i looked for an internally regulated alt but the 15$ regulator was cheaper than a 65$ alternator.and its faster to replace the reg than the alt.