DC
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The charging system consists
of
an alternator with a mounted
voltage regulator, an engine
DC
wiring harness, a mounted
DC
circuil breaker, and a battery and connection wires.
Because of the use
of
integrated circuits
(Ie's)
the electronic
voltage regulator is very compact and
is
mounted internally
or
on the back
of
the alternator.
Alternator
Troubleshooting
If you suspect that the alternator is not producing enough
voltage
to
charge
the engine's battery, check the following:
A
WARNING:
A failed alternator
can
becDme
very
hDt.
Do
nDt
touch
until
the
alternator has
cODled
dDwn.
o Make certain your alternator
is
securely mounted.
o Check the drive belts for proper tension.
o Inspect for loose or disconnected wires at the alternator.
NOTE:
An isolator with a diode, a solenoid,
or
a battery
selector switch
is
usually mounted in the circuit to isolate the
balleries
so the starting ballery is not discharged along with
the house batteries.
If
the isolator
is
charging the slarling
ballery but not the house ballery, the alternator is
OK
and
the problem is in the ballery charging circuit.
A
WARNING:
Shut
Dff
the
engine
battery
switch
Dr
discDnnect
from
the
battery
when
wDrking
Dn
the
engine
electrical
system.
Checking
for
Proper
Voltage
If you suspect
the
alternator has failed perform the following
tests with the
engine
off:
1.
Using a voltmeter, connect the voltmeter red wire clip to
the output terminal B+.
2.
Connect the voltmeter negative wire to any ground on the
engine.
3. Check the battery
voltage. It should read 12
to
12 volts.
4. Check the voltage between the alternator (+) positive
ter~
minai B
and
any engine ground. If the circuit
is
good, the
voltage at
the
alternator should be the
same
as the battery
(unless
there's
an isolator in the circuit, then the reading
would be zero).
A
CAUTION:
TD
aVDid
damage
tD
the
battery
charging
circuit,
never
shut
Dff
the
engine
battery
SWitch
when
the
engine
is
running!
20
A
WARNING:
Before
starting
the
engine
make
certain
that
everyone
is clear
Df
mDving
parts!
Keep
away
frDm
sheaves
and
belts
during
test
prDcedures.
.
5. Start the engine.
6. The voltage reading for a properly operating
alternator
should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
If
your alternator
is
over- or undercharging, have
it
repaired at a reliable
service shop.
NOTE:
Before removing the alternator for repair, use your
voltmeter
to ensure that 12 volts
DC
"excitation is preselll at
the R terminal
if
the previous lest showed ollly ballery volt-
age at the B output terminal.
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PINK!1IlUE
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.1U
RED
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TYPICAL
UNIVERSAL
51
AMP
ALTERNATOR
CONNECTIONS
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814
BROWN
OPTIONAL
72
AMP
ALTERNATOR
CONNECTIONS
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