hey guys....I'm fairly new to the classic mustangs. I found this box under the hood on the drivers side up near the front. What is it, and what is that wire that is clipped?
That's your basic voltage regulator. Yes, alternators use VR's too either external like this one, or internal if it's a newer model alternator. The wire that is clipped is for the VR's condensor. It is needed on mechanical VR's to absorb the excess current when the contact points on the relays open and close.
That's your basic voltage regulator. Yes, alternators use VR's too either external like this one, or internal if it's a newer model alternator. The wire that is clipped is for the VR's condensor. It is needed on mechanical VR's to absorb the excess current when the contact points on the relays open and close.
Mechanical VR's use electromagnets and contact points to regulate the signal to the field windings of the alternator. Newer "electronic" VR's are solid state.