Voltage Regulators, Who makes a good replacement? Options

[Brian Fuerbach]

I have a Bosch solid state regulator and have been noticing low and erratic charge rates lately. Swapped it for a nos Bosch mechanical reg that I had in my stash. Charge rate is 13.8-14v now, perfect but, the mechanical regulator gets pretty warm after running for awhile. I measured the case at 130F. Is this normal for a mechanical regulator?

I would like to get a solid state replacement but the Bosch regs cost almost $400. What gives? did they stop making them?

What is the currently recommended replacement?

[Lockwodo]

Hmm, so the voltage regulator saga continues.

After the mechanical Bosch VR on my 914 crapped out, I bought a Hella VR and installed it. Voltage at the battery was 12.6 volts (ignition off) and 14-17 volts (1000 rpm idle). So the voltage at idle was way high and fluctuating. The vendor agreed to send a replacement Hella VR.

Installed the second Hella VR and voltage at the battery was 12.6 volts (ignition off) and 14.8 volts (1000 rpm idle) with minimal fluctuation.

Two questions for you guys:

1) is anything over 13.6 volts at 1000 rpm idle too high? I've seen at least one website indicating that voltage over 13.6 volts at idle could cause electrical component failures.

2) at 1000 rpm idle, how much voltage fluctuation is OK? With the first Hella VR and all the fluctuation it caused, it engine seemed to run unevenly over 1000 rpm.

Thanks!