where does this go?

[kev333]

my battery gauge hits 18v when i accelerate and the red light is on, so i bought the voltage regulator but i have no idea where it goes      1983 280zx

[Mr Camouflage]

I thought they were internally regulated at the alternator.

[kev333]

i dont know , when i saw this part on ebay i thought it was what i needed , i expected to simply unscrew the old and fit the new one !  i have no idea where it goes. if its internal then should i just buy a new alternator ?

[Zedsabbath]

That may be a regulator...but internal (or semi internal) regulators usually have the spring loaded slip ring brushes attached to it and you just

unscrew the old one from the outside of the alternator then screw the new one on...no wires or plugs

 

You might also need to get the diodes checked, they don't last and when they go kapoot the red light comes on 

[Six_Shooter]

The ZX has an internally regulated alternator.

 

Easiest is to just get a replacement alternator. You could have yours rebuilt, but usually takes a little longer.

 

You may be able to buy a "rebuild kit" to replace some of the internals of the alternator, like the regulator and brushes.

 

I used to rebuild my alternators, now I just buy rebilut ones, I can get more life and more output if I want, going this way.

 

As another option you could look at installing a different alternator completly, I have installed a GM alternator in my 240.

[tbscobraZ]

Hey six shooter what sort of GM alternator do you have, do you know what part number it is? Thanks.

[Six_Shooter]

My GM alternator was actually rebuilt by a rebuilder that I know, and brought up to 160 amps of output.

 

I don't know what the Australian equivilant would be, but the case that I am using is what was used in the '87 to '94 Sunbirds with the 2.0L OHC. It does require some modification of the stock brackets, but not to bad to do.

 

Here are some pictures of my alternator swap. http://domestic.3400z24.com/sixshooter/My%20vehicles/Datsun/Under%20hood/Alternator/

 

[kev333]

thanks for all the info  i will look on ebay or somewhere for a new one