Certain embodiments of the present technology provide voltage regulator-alternator configurations that can distribute loads among a plurality of alternators, and fail-safe mechanisms used in connection with such voltage regulator-alternator configurations. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide electrical systems that include voltage regulators with connections over which control signals, which indicate whether a detected voltage is higher or lower than a target voltage, can be transmitted to other voltage regulators and received from other voltage regulators. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide voltage regulators that include connections over which control signals can be transmitted to other voltage regulators and received from other voltage regulators. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide methods of modifying a basic voltage regulator such that the modified voltage regulator can transmit a control signal to another voltage regulator and receive a control signal from another voltage regulator.