Blowing voltage regulators
I was thinking if the VR could be adjusted, I saw in the links provided that can bee done. Or should I just leave it alone?
Yes they can be adjusted.
There was one type that had an adjustment screw, but most required some gentle bending. Yes follow the shop manual.
But voltage should
not be jumpy. The regulator should be reacting quicker than you would see on a meter - certainlty an analog meter.
The battery could be new, but low on stored energy. Recharge it slowly and if need be take it for a load test, or do crude one yourself. Then recharge it before starting the car.
20 to 30 amps of recharging for a 1/2 second after starting, OK. But then it should steadily drift toward 0 amps (centered). That should take a minute or longer.
The engine after starting should be on fast idle, so the alternator can easily supply that much power for recharging.
Once you are driving around it should not need much more charging. Often a little bit of recharging is needed after being stopped at light, especially with lights and wipers on. Just a few amps - not more than 5.
