1. Chapter 30 Charging System Fundamentals

2. The Charging System

3. The Charging Process Alternators require power to create power*
*Never test an alternator by disconnecting the battery while the engine is running
Current must flow through the alternator’s coil to create the electromagnetic field required to generate electricity
Generators do not require power to create power once the field circuit has been energized

4. The Charging Process Continued…
Current is sent to the alternator’s coil, located inside of the rotor assembly, creating a strong magnetic field.
The engine spins the rotor, inducing electrical current in the stator’s 3 windings
The electrical current travels from the stator’s 3 windings into the wye (Y)
The Y connects the stator to the diode trio and the rectifier bridge, converting AC into DC
The voltage regulator maintains a charging voltage into the battery

5. The Alternator

6. Rotor, Stator, & Windings (Rear View)

7. Diode Bridge

8. How Is a Generator Different Than an Alternator?
How many parts can You Identify here and in the next 2 slides?

12. Using The VAT-40 to Test Voltage & Alternator Output