[PeteVS]

There are three relays in the common voltage regulator. First one controls the voltage by opening the field coil circuit when the desired voltage is obtained. Second opens the field coil circuit if the current output exceeds the max. Third is the cut out. This opens the generator out put circuit when the engine is shut off. The first two carry only a small control circuit. The cut out carries the full generator current. This is a heavy load and this set of points is subject to damage by that current. It sounds like the contacts might have welded closed. They'll never be the same if you try separating and cleaning them so a new regulator would be required most likely.