A note about 14v automotive Voltage Regulators
Since I found no reviews online about the HüCO Voltage Regulators before buying one as substitute for the OEM Bosch one, I figured I'd share my experience. - Bottom line: i've been very impressed with the huco regulator over Bosch and Transpo adjustable (IPD and Dave Barton). Excellent electrical performance with $12-$50 savings under heavy load.
First my complaint with the stock Bosch regulator. In the winter, at ambient temperatures below 50 degrees, the Bosch regulator put out a pretty stable voltage of 13.5 - 14.1 volts. Couple this with stock halogen headlights and lighting all around, plus the heavy demand of an 1800 watt stereo system and my average output at the alternator to recharge 2 batteries was around 13.5 volts. Add to this Air Conditioning and windshield wipers on a warm rainy night and pretty soon it's almost as though I have no alternator at all. To have to forfeit my music in the name of safety on a long drive is criminal.
oh my nose
allergies... allergies... oh my allergies...
at least my voice sounds cool when my sinuses are all... disrupted.
well I am 85% done with my car. The wire harness has been completely modified, and funny thing is that something about how I re-wrapped/packed it, it fits in the car better than before... though I've been using ALOT of 3M electrical tape... probably about $15 worth of tape - I have learned the hard way not to try to save on cheaper, stiffer, electrical tape.
The DRL module, using the original light switch and an added toggle make the headlights work. The fog lights are now on a relay, and remote start wiring has been integrated into the harness much better (to the correct wires, even) which makes upgrading the module much much easier in the future.
I/P lighting has been re-wired to make it easy to integrate LEDs all around the car, replacing the original 5 watt lights. for the most part, rewiring the headlight system was the biggest challenge, because of the DRL inclusion and the special way I want everything including the fog lights to function, both when in use and with the remote starter's headlight activation.
updates…
Had fun this past weekend, it was the usual, working on cars, et al. Daniel's car developed a rupture (from rubbing against the chassis) in his slave cylinder (clutch) line... The dealer said they'd have to have it shipped and wouldn't be available until later this week, so his brilliant thinking and my knowledge of materials (that I have alot of excess of) came to a quick and effective fix -- wrap the hose with split silicon tubing and zip tie it back together -- like a splint. Something on the order of 8 zip ties went onto a 2.5 inch length of tubing haha.
Then otto got his belts replaced, which made every chatter he had going completely silent. I now can't tell when he's on from outside, that quiet. Goodyear Gatorback belts, so I splurged *chuckle* at $11.99 per belt (times 4). It's a good thing.
le sigh
A recurring thought I've been having is that you know when you're already not aging gracefully when the first thing you consider when choosing a chair to sit in or purchase, is whether it has adequate lumbar support. When I was 16 I had no idea what a lumbar was... when I was 18, my chair was so uncomfortable, yet without any distress on my back. Considering that back massages used to feel uncomfortable, I'd say things have changed. These days, if I sit for 2 hours (which is already something health care pro's advise against) in the wrong chair, my back hurts for the next day or two. Perhaps this is a consequence of not being or having been active for most of my life... C'est la vie, I guess.