Voltage regulator, and pulsing lights

[brianakell]

Running an older style external voltage regulator for my alternator. Since it switches on and off, the lights, dash and headlights have a kind of pulse to them. anyone know how to smooth this on/off out? My google-fu is failing me today

[LariatBob]

It's not like you need to filter out a pulse so you can't build a capacitive filter circuit. The voltage is actually going up and down, typically from 12v while not charging to 14v while charging.
How often is it switching?

[brianakell]

It's not like you need to filter out a pulse so you can't build a capacitive filter circuit. The voltage is actually going up and down, typically from 12v while not charging to 14v while charging.
How often is it switching?

Every second or so. Definately not cycling 12v/14v.

[Wulf202]

Is it a converted 6v system? Some 6v components can cause issues

[ray1970]

I'd leave it alone. People will probably think you are some sort of emergency vehicle and get out of your way.

[ray1970]

I'd leave it alone. People will probably think you are some sort of emergency vehicle and get out of your way.

Unless the flickering dash lights will cause some sort of epileptic seizure or something.

[brianakell]

Is it a converted 6v system? Some 6v components can cause issues

Nope, everything is 12v

Unless the flickering dash lights will cause some sort of epileptic seizure or something.

Concerned the cycling may eventually piss off ecm and other parts. Its also a bit annoying, and I could see it being very aggravating on a long trip at night. The headlights flickering is not enough to notice when in front of the truck, just when in, and dash lights an headlights are doing it. Especially hearing the engine sounding like very slight surging at idle. Take off connections for the regulator, and surging is gone.

[Irving]

A capacitor won't fix this?

[00tec]

A capacitor won't fix this?

Thats what i was thinking. One of the ones they use for sub amps. 1 farad or so.

[Ah Pook]

One of my old trucks does this. Converted from an external regulator to an internal (Delco 10si) type alternator. Mine had the tick before and after. The headlights were not effected but the dashlights would dim a little and the volt meter would "tick".

Is the power to the headlights running from the battery, through the dash, to the switch and then to the headlights? Installing a "bright light kit" for the headlights might fix their pulsing. This bypasses a lot of wiring and the lights can be powered directly from the battery.

Never figured out the cause and called it the truck's heartbeat.