| 5 January |
Automotive Charging Systems |
Electricity is the lifeline of the car. This has always been the case since almost all the gasoline ignited combustion using electricity to the fuel. Today, the entire automobile is controlled and operated the electricity and electronic devices. These include controlling fuel, emission controls, accessories, such as heating and air conditioning, steering, brakes, lights and much more. It is obvious that the charging scheme, that this current is supplied to a very important System.
The charging system usually include a method to generate electricity and store a battery for power. This sounds easy, but it is no longer a simple system. The typical system consists of a generator, which normally belt driven by the engine. The generator of this park must be regulated to control the voltage with in a given area. The usual is 12 volts to about 14.2 volts. If the voltage is too high or too low electronic and electrical components will not work or they can be damaged.
Each generator is a form of electronic controller that controls the output of the generator. In recent years, it was a regulator mounted in the vehicle regardless of the alternator. A few years ago the regulator was moved into the alternator and the system was known internally regulated. A few manufacturers decided that the electrical system should be using the computer network interface. Now most cars either the charging system is a computer or monitor and there are certain levels by the engine management computer. Many systems reduce the alternator load during periods of strong acceleration.
Can I test and diagnose problems with my generator? It depends on the equipment you have. A good multimeter will receive a fair overview of the state of a charging system. If all you have is a multi-meter to measure the voltage at the battery terminals before starting the engine. Then you measure the voltage with thethe engine is running on a fast idle. The resting tension was in the vicinity of 12.6 volts and the voltage typically ranges from 13.2 to 14.2 volts at the battery. You can also measure the output voltage of the alternator, and it should be the measure in the 0.1 volt battery voltage. After measuring the voltage at a fast idle, turn off all accessories and lights. The tension should be near the same as for a fast idle with about 3 or 4 tenths volts.
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