Charging System: Description and Operation
OPERATIONAlternator
The Alternator is belt driven from the engine. Field current is supplied from the Integral Alternator Regulator, mounted on the Alternator, to the rotating field of the Alternator, through two brushes and two slip rings.
The Alternator produces power in the form of alternating current. The alternating current is rectified to direct current by current diodes. The Integral Alternator Regulator automatically adjusts the alternator field current to maintain the Alternator output voltage below prescribed limits to correctly charge the Battery.
The Regulator voltage control circuit is turned on when the Ignition Switch is "ON". Voltage is applied to Regulator terminal I through a resistor in parallel with the Alternator Warning Indicator. When the Ignition Switch is "OFF", the control circuit is turned off, and no field current flows to the Alternator.
Warning Indicator
The Alternator Warning Indicator is connected across the terminals of a 500 ohm or 420 ohm (Electronic Cluster only) resistor at the instrument cluster. Current passes through the warning indicator when the Ignition Switch is in the "RUN" position and there is no voltage at terminal S of the regulator. When voltage at S rises to a pre-set value, the Regulator switching circuits stop the flow of current into terminal I and the indicator turns off.
Fuse Link
A fuse link is included in the Charging System wiring on all models. The fuse link prevents damage to the wiring harness and Alternator if the wiring harness becomes grounded or if a booster battery with the wrong polarity is connected to the Charging System.