Charging System Charging System FundamentalsFundamentals

Chapter 34Chapter 34

Page 449Page 449

The AlternatorThe Alternator

System DiagramSystem Diagram

Battery

Alternator

The AlternatorThe Alternator

Locations Can VaryLocations Can Vary

V- Belt Pulley

Serpentine Belt Pulley

Parts BreakdownParts Breakdown

Alternating Current (AC)Alternating Current (AC)

The rotor is a shaft wrapped the The rotor is a shaft wrapped the wire, when a voltage is introduced– wire, when a voltage is introduced– it produces an electromagnetit produces an electromagnet

The stator is a series of three wire The stator is a series of three wire wrappings that are stationarywrappings that are stationary

As the rotor turns in side the stator As the rotor turns in side the stator ring– current is induced (produced) ring– current is induced (produced) making current flowmaking current flow

Magnetic FieldMagnetic Field

RotorRotor

Alternator Rotor and Alternator Rotor and Magnetic PolesMagnetic Poles

StatorStator

Voltage Output PatternsVoltage Output Patterns

Positive

Negative

One stator winding All three windings

Converted to positive only!13 -14 volts

Diodes Diodes

One way check valve- allows current to One way check valve- allows current to flow in one direction but not in reverseflow in one direction but not in reverse

This is how the negative voltage that is This is how the negative voltage that is produced in the alternator is not allows to produced in the alternator is not allows to the battery.the battery.

Sets are usually placed in a heat sink- Sets are usually placed in a heat sink- they get extremely hot– the sink can they get extremely hot– the sink can dissipate this heatdissipate this heat

Electrical ConnectionElectrical Connection

Brushes allow for contact with rotorBrushes allow for contact with rotor Power is controlled from the ignition Power is controlled from the ignition

switchswitch

Slip Rings and BrushesSlip Rings and Brushes

The Fan Draws Air From the The Fan Draws Air From the Rear Through to the Front Rear Through to the Front

Cooling Internal ComponentsCooling Internal Components

Cooling FanCooling Fan

Voltage RegulatorVoltage Regulator Maintain voltage between 13 and 15.5 Maintain voltage between 13 and 15.5

voltsvolts Under 13 would not charge batteryUnder 13 would not charge battery Over will overload the electrical circuits, Over will overload the electrical circuits,

especially computer controlled components.especially computer controlled components.

External voltage regulators were used until the 1980’s

Internal regulators are used in many alternators

On board computers have eliminated the need for regulators in today’s vehicles

Your Job.Your Job.

Complete chapter Questions 1-10 Complete chapter Questions 1-10 (review) and 1-5 (ASE-style). Page 457-(review) and 1-5 (ASE-style). Page 457-458458

Write on a separate paper and write out Write on a separate paper and write out the complete question and your answer. the complete question and your answer. ( do not write the other answer options). ( do not write the other answer options).

Complete the chapter worksheet (I will Complete the chapter worksheet (I will give it out). You may write on it. give it out). You may write on it.

File all items in your note book.File all items in your note book. Notebooks will be graded in the future.Notebooks will be graded in the future.