Twin charging system

[Dellortoman]

Yes, if you can find one. Not sure why you'd want to though. The electro-mechanical regulators are cheap to buy and pretty reliable. 

The existing regulator works by switching the generator's field coil on and off to regulate its DC output. It's quite an efficient system. The generator only works as hard as it needs to.

Most solid state regulators are designed for alternators, so they have a rectifier built in. You could install a rectifier/regulator (RR) even though you don't actually need the rectifier part . It doesn't matter because DC will flow through the rectifier just as well as AC. You might end up without a generator light though. Not many RR's have a gen light output.

You'd have to hard wire the supply to the generator's field winding because RR's don't regulate the field current. They just take all the power the generator (or alternator) can deliver and dump what is not needed. So they are less efficient and tend to get quite warm. That's why they're housed in big aluminium boxes with cooling fins.

I reckon you're better off leaving it as it is.

Cam

 

[Dale]

Thanks for that, Cam.

Electrickery is certainly not my strong suit, and so I have been running with the assumption that 'newer must be better'.
Have changed the coils for a modern unit, Gel battery, and updated the lights.  Looking to do the same with the fuse box when that comes up.
Just seemed natural to modernise the regulator as well.

You are not the first to suggest that the original gear is quite good, and I am slowly becoming convinced.
A few months ago I was talked out of changing the gen for a more modern alternator.  This is usually the first change I make to the classic cars that I have had. 
(Especially if they are UK made and running 'Prince of Darkness' equipment!)
Mind you, I have had a few old Beetles, and the charging setup was always fine.

I guess that 'When you are on a good thing...Stick with it'!

Dale

 

[Paul Marx]

The stock dynamo and regulator are fine.
Make sure regulator is rubber mounted and free to bounce around, otherwise they tend to stick open with vibration and fry the battery...or worse.
Paul

 

[Furbo]

Sorry, should have been more specific.

SF2 with a generator rather than alternator.
Can I still get a solid state item?

Dale

Yes - certainly.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Volkswagen/Beetle/Bosch/Voltage_Regulator/1970/Base/4_Cyl_1-dot-6L/W0133-1798834.html?intcmpid=Product+Listings+Best+Seller#reviews. I strongly suspect that its cheaper to manufacture the solid state item thn the mechanical one. Either are fine - but if you're replacing the reg anyway, the solid state item SHOULD be more resistant to vibration.

I'd never want to lose the dynamo - it works too well, especially compared to the sick Bosch generator that replaced it on the triples! Guzzi did the same thing at the same time. I NEVER had to bump start my SF, or Guzzi V7 on chilly mornings. The 3C and 850T3.....different story.