The charging system includes a battery, an alternator with a built-in regulator, and the charging indicator light and wire.
The Alternator has built-in diodes, each rectifying AC current to DC current.
DC current appears at alternator "B" terminal. The regulator is regulates the charging voltage to maintain ECM signal.
The main components of the alternator are the rotor, stator, rectifier, capacitor, brushes, bearings, regulator and V-ribbed belt pulley (or OAD : Overrunning Alternator Decoupler).
1. Brush 2. Drive belt pulley 3. Rotor 4. Stator 5. Rectifier |
Alternator management system controls the charging voltage set point in order to improve fuel economy, manage alternator load under various operating conditions, keep the battery charged, and protect the battery from over-charging. ECM controls generating voltage by duty cycle (charging control, discharging control, normal control) based on the battery conditions and vehicle operating conditions.
The system lowers the charging rate when accelerating. Lowering the charging rate will allow more engine power for accelerating.
The system increases the charging rate when decelerating. The system uses the unused power of the decelerating engine and increases the charging rate.
