How can I find out if my alternator has an internal or external voltage regulator?

Question

The vehicle is an 82 Chevy 3/4 van

Answer 1

i lot of them will say it in it somewere if it is

just call the auto parts store and most likey they can tell you  

Answer 2

most of the cars today has a built in regulator.we probably could tell you if we knew what car and year you have.

Answer 3

Usually if the wires from the altenator go to a little sealed box that splits off into several other wires.  That is the rectifier/regulator unit, but with out know the exact car it is hard to say for sure.  Generally older cars made before 72 ish had external regulators.  Of course there is no exact cut off year for every car.  Manufacturers often used up stock of older designs before implementing new stuff so you may have 2 of the same year model car with older or new parts.

Answer 4

They stopped using external regulators on American cars in the early 70s.

I doubt if you have one but if you do (British car?) it will be wired to the alternator circuit.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

If you had told us the year make and model of car, we could have told you. An auto parts store will know, and will even test it for you.