Re: Voltage Regulation, Re: 1959 Starflite

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quote FrankR:

There IS a solid state regulator for old Harleys that will work. Yes it is a ten amp DC generator. Type A field circuit. Do not use a higher amp regulator unless you want to burn up the armature.

Using a regulator with a current rating in excess of 10A will not necessarily burn up the armature. In theory, it should be perfectly permissible to use a 15A or 20A regulator on a 10A generator.

But if you do so, the regulator will not limit the current to 10A. That is, if you impose a load in excess of 10A – like an accidental short-circuit – the regulator will not save you from your error, as it’s perfectly OK with delivering more current than the gen. can safely sustain.