[Vwdiesel] more alternator questions

[Sandy Cameron]

I was out in the shop looking for a gasket set for the lid on my 1.6, and
came across a Bosch alternator that is NOT from a vw. It has mounting lugs
at 180*, a removable brush set held by 2 screws. (external regulator) . The
pulley is for a flat, multirib serpentine belt.
It even has a hole in the rear casting for the "W" terminal, (not present in
this unit)
There are 2 terminals on the removable brush holder, one for each brush. I
took the brush holder out, and there does not appear to be any connection
from the brushes to the alternator internals.

Could be a Volvo, I have seen so few I don't remember..

But  this one prompts me to suggest I might have given you a bum steer on
the connections. This one would have 12 volts from the ignition switch
applied to one of the brushes when the ingnition is turned on, and the other
brush terminal (there are 2)  would go through the regulator looking for ground.

Comparing this arrangement to Chrysler Mopar external regulator setups would
suggest that the car would not have an idiot light, but more likely a voltmeter.

Your "ballasted"  (by the bulb) arrangement suggests a circuit more like the
standard VW, where the regulator gets initial excitation from the bulb
circuit, and then when the alternator starts to produce juice, the running
excitation comes from inside the alternator via the diode trio. 

Could you send me a photo, and a description of the regulator connections?

Sandy