voltage regulator
10-16-2002, 04:55 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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voltage regulator
can someone describe in detail how this thing works?and what it does exactly...what is going on when the brushes are up and whats happeneing when they are down?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
10-18-2002, 07:06 PM
#3
Big thirst, Sore Thumbs
Rennlist Member
Napoleon
Rennlist Member
Napoleon
Brushes up and down?
Brushes are part of the alternator. And are just a convinient way to get the electricity off the spinning rotor and into wires. Older chryslers were the best in this regard as you could replace the brushes without even loosening the belt on the alternator. Instead of replacing the alternator it was a $2.00 15 minute repair.
The voltage regulator is seperate from the Alternator (though inside of the alternator in many cases) All it does is Regulate the voltage (
). You want the alternator at idle to give off over 12 volts, but if that is the case at full RPM it is going to want to give off Allot more voltage. Anything over 14.5 or so (just basic numbers, not exact) will start to damage to some components like the battery. So the Regulator keeps it below that level. As to how it works I don't know the specifics but it probably has a zener diode and a couple fo load absorbing resistors. The zener Diode caps it off at a certain voltage, throwing the rest to the resistors who just expend heat.
Brushes are part of the alternator. And are just a convinient way to get the electricity off the spinning rotor and into wires. Older chryslers were the best in this regard as you could replace the brushes without even loosening the belt on the alternator. Instead of replacing the alternator it was a $2.00 15 minute repair.
The voltage regulator is seperate from the Alternator (though inside of the alternator in many cases) All it does is Regulate the voltage (
). You want the alternator at idle to give off over 12 volts, but if that is the case at full RPM it is going to want to give off Allot more voltage. Anything over 14.5 or so (just basic numbers, not exact) will start to damage to some components like the battery. So the Regulator keeps it below that level. As to how it works I don't know the specifics but it probably has a zener diode and a couple fo load absorbing resistors. The zener Diode caps it off at a certain voltage, throwing the rest to the resistors who just expend heat.