1. Charging System Fundamentals
Chapter 34
Page 449

2. The Alternator

3. System Diagram
Battery
Alternator

4. The Alternator

5. Locations Can Vary
V- Belt Pulley
Serpentine Belt Pulley

6. Parts Breakdown

7. Alternating Current (AC)
The rotor is a shaft wrapped the wire, when a voltage is introduced– it produces an electromagnet
The stator is a series of three wire wrappings that are stationary
As the rotor turns in side the stator ring– current is induced (produced) making current flow

8. Magnetic Field

9. Rotor

10. Alternator Rotor and Magnetic Poles

11. Stator

12. Voltage Output Patterns
Positive
Negative
All three windings
One stator winding
volts
Converted to positive only!

13. Diodes
One way check valve- allows current to flow in one direction but not in reverse
This is how the negative voltage that is produced in the alternator is not allows to the battery.
Sets are usually placed in a heat sink- they get extremely hot– the sink can dissipate this heat

14. Electrical Connection
Brushes allow for contact with rotor
Power is controlled from the ignition switch

15. Slip Rings and Brushes

16. The Fan Draws Air From the Rear Through to the Front Cooling Internal Components

17. Cooling Fan

18. Internal regulators are used in
Voltage Regulator
Maintain voltage between 13 and 15.5 volts
Under 13 would not charge battery
Over will overload the electrical circuits, 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

19. Your Job.
Complete chapter Questions 1-10 (review) and 1-5 (ASE-style). Page
Write on a separate paper and write out the complete question and your answer. ( do not write the other answer options).
Complete the chapter worksheet (I will give it out). You may write on it.
File all items in your note book.
Notebooks will be graded in the future.