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Voltage regulator problem found with pictures

To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Voltage regulator problem found with pictures
From: Dave Chu <dave@ece.concordia.ca>
Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2003 19:24:55 -0400
I had taken my alternator apart and tested some of its electronic components.
It was only putting out around 10.5V and was not charging my battery.  The
diode pack (rectifier) is working and the only other component left is the 
voltage regulator.  I wouldn't resist and removed the potting compound.  For
those who are interested here is a picture of its component.  There are only
4 active components on that circuit.  The 2N6388, a darlington transistor, a
surface mount transistor, diode and 6V zener diode. 

  http://www.ece.concordia.ca/~dave/carpics/regulator.jpg

To test these components I had to desolder from the board and one of the
legs from the darlington transistor just came off.  I think the regulator 
never worked properly from day one.  Here is a picture of the transistor 
and broken leg.

   http://www.ece.concordia.ca/~dave/carpics/bad-pin.jpg

Looks like I'll have to change the regulator or atleast the transistor.
Thanks to those who have replied

PS: Someone here happens to have an openned VW voltage regulator and it 
    uses the same transistor and the circuit looks very similar.

Dave                                                  |\ |     | |      
_______________________________________/\  /\  /\_____| \|_____| |____________
Dave Chu                                 \/  \/       | /|     | |  
Dept. of Elec. & Comp. Eng.                           |/ |     | |      
Concordia University              Voice:(514)848-3115   Fax:(514)848-2802 
1455 de Maisonneuve W. H961       Email:dave@ece.concordia.ca
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1M8  http://www.ece.concordia.ca/~dave/addr.html
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