TM 5-3805-255-14
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUED
Regulator
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1. To prevent the alternator from producing too much voltage and burning out the accessories and overcharging
the battery, its voltage must be limited. For this function, a regulator is necessary in the charging system.
2. A typical double contact regulator is shown in Figure 5. This regulator has four terminals.
3. The terminals are of the slip-connection type, and a special connector body on the vehicle wiring harness is
keyed to mating slots in the regulator base to insure proper connections. Also, a projection on the connector
body serves to latch the assembly together. This prevents disconnection due to vibration. The assembly can be
disconnected by lifting the latch slightly.
4. A double contact voltage regulator unit and field relay unit make up the regulator assembly. The voltage
regulator unit operates to limit alternator voltage to a pre-set value, whereas the field relay connects alternator
field winding and regulator winding directly to the battery.
Figure 5. Typical Two-Unit Regulator.
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