System Description

The Battery, Alternator and Voltage Regulator make up the Charging System.

With the Ignition Switch in RUN, battery voltage is applied to the Voltage Regulator indicator switch through the Ignition Switch and the Alternator Warning Indicator. The electronic control measures a low voltage at Voltage Regulator terminal "A" and closes the field through Alternator terminal "F".

With current in the field and the rotor turning, the Alternator produces a DC voltage at terminal "B" (to Battery) and terminal "S". (Voltage at terminal "S" is one-half the voltage at terminal "B").

A preset voltage at terminal "S" operates the electronic control to open the indicator switch, removing ground from the Alternator Warning Indicator.

The Alternator output is controlled by the current in the field. The average voltage on the field depends on the percentage of time the field switch is closed. The electronic control closes the field switch when the voltage at terminal "A" is low, and opens the switch when the voltage at terminal "A" is high.

The Voltage Regulator holds the system voltage at about 14 volts. The average Alternator output is a value between zero and full current, depending on conditions sensed by the Voltage Regulator.