How does a voltage regulator control the output of an alternator?
The electronic voltage regulators use an electronic circuit to control rotor field strength and alternator output. More current is then induced into the stator windings and out of the alternator. To reduce alternator output, the electronic regulator increases the resistance between the battery and the rotor windings.
How do you control voltage on an alternator?
The current flowing through the rotating solenoid (rotor) is the decisive factor for regulating the output generated by the alternator. This current is used to alter the magnetic field. It is controlled by the alternator regulator based on the battery voltage, which has been measured in advance.
What does the voltage regulator do in an alternator?
An alternator regulator supplies current to the rotating part of the alternator. The rotating part is called the rotor, and when current is applied to it it becomes an electromagnet. Its rotation generates an alternating current in the fixed windings of the alternator, called the stator.
Where is the voltage regulator on an alternator?
Check the connector at the alternator, the wire, the voltage regulator (if you have an external voltage regulator) and then the ALT side of the master switch. If you don’t have 12 volts at all of these points when the master switch is turned on, find out why and fix it.
Why does my alternator not turn on when fully charged?
This is because the voltage output of the alternator must greater than the battery voltage or current will not flow into the battery, which on its own should produce about 12.8 volts when fully charged. If you normally see system voltage that is above 14.5 or below 13.8 when flying, you need to find out why.
Is there a way to bypass the voltage regulator?
There could be several ways to bypass the voltage regulator, depending on the charging system configuration for your particular vehicle model. If the rear of your alternator has a ‘test tab’, you need to short this tab to the alternator frame using a screwdriver while checking voltage output at the battery with the engine running.
Is there overvoltage protection in a B & C alternator?
B&C alternators as a rule do not have built-in overvoltage protection, instead relying on the overvoltage protection built into the B&C voltage regulator. At first this seems like an unnecessary addition of cost and complexity, but the B&C setup has proven to be very robust in the field, making the extra complexity worth the cost.
How much voltage does an alternator put out?
This means that while the voltage of most car batteries is 12 volts, an alternator will typically output anywhere between 13 and a half and 15 volts of electricity.
What are the different types of alternator regulators?
There are two different types of voltage regulators used in automobile alternators. “A” type, “B” type. These send full (positive) power to one brush, while the voltage regulator controls the output by varying the ground (negative) to the other brush.
What is the function of alternator regulator?
An alternator regulator supplies current to the rotating part of the alternator. The rotating part is called the rotor, and when current is applied to it it becomes an electromagnet.
How much volt alternator should produce?
An automotive alternator generates electrical power to run the engine and charge the battery. An alternator that is putting out a reduced charge will eventually cause the engine to stall and not properly charge the battery, which can cause starting problems. An alternator should put out between 13.5 and 15 volts of power.