Alternator Regulators: Operation

On all 1976 models except Dart and Valiant, a Field-Loads Relay is used in conjunction with the regulator. Relay is located between battery and regulator. It brings the regulator electrically closer to battery voltage, reduces voltage drop between battery and regulator and makes regulator more sensitive to battery requirements. With field-loads relay, battery is protected from over charging and improves cold starts by disconnecting nonessential circuits during cranking.