Charging Alternator

Charging Alternator

Feed from the positive battery terminal (C0192) is supplied to the alternator (C0183) via the starter motor (C0178) on an R then N wire.

When the engine is started, the magnetised rotor within the stator windings generate 3 phase alternating current (ac) and voltage that rises rapidly with rotor speed. The field diodes in the rectifier pack convert the ac current into direct current (dc). Output current from the field diodes supplements the initial current flowing through the field windings. This causes an increase in the magnetic influence of the rotor, resulting in self-exitation of the alternator. The field current increases with rotor speed and thus increases the generated current and voltage until the alternator is fully excited. The alternator (C0183) charges the battery (C0192) via the starter motor by providing current on an N then R wire.

Ignition/No Charge Warning Lamp

Fuse 13 of the passenger compartment fuse box (C0580) provides an ignition feed to the ignition/no charge warning lamp (C0233) on a WG wire. The earth path for the warning lamp (C0233) is controlled by the alternator (C0226) on an NY wire. When the alternator outputs a voltage equal to that supplied by the battery, the warning lamp is extinguished as the potential difference across the lamp is 0 volts.