regulator shoud it be hot

Having the dreaded electrical problems. My van has been increasingly difficult to start of late and yesterday no go. I replaced the battery it now starts good BUT// I noticed by burning myself that the voltage regulator oi very hot. Should it be that hot that you cannot touch it?

Trevor//

NO............sounds like something is shorting out or is wired wrong.

check the earth wire on the alternator and with a mulit meter see what the alternator in putting out and than chek the regulator it sounds like an earth prob
greedy