hi please can someone explain how an alternator knows when to, and when not to, charge the battery

also, is the way alternators kick in and out different between different models ie/ fiesta and focus

i imagine the older setups are mechanically switched, and the newer ones ecu controlled?

 

From the net : HERE

REGULATOR
The regulator has two inputs and one output. The inputs are the field current supply and the control voltage input, and the output is the field current to the rotor. The regulator uses the control voltage input to control the amount of field current input that is allow to pass through to the rotor winding. If the battery voltage drops, the regulator senses this, by means of the connection to the battery, and allows more of the field current input to reach the rotor, which increases the magnetic field strength, which ultimately increases the voltage output of the alternator. Conversely, if the battery voltage goes up, less field current goes through the rotor windings, and the output voltage is reduced.

The alternator is always running, it doesn't "kick in / out ", its the regulator that controls how much voltage is required to keep the battery in good condition.

cheers

 

lol, why do you need to know?

 

erm, i'm halfway through sorting out blacktop into a mk4 fiesta, and i was going to use the focus alternator. However, someone has said that the Focus charging system was ECU controlled, and that the focus alternator won't work in a fez. So does that mean i should use a fiesta alternator? I'm stuck.

 

should i just fit a fiesta alternator and wire it onto the battery?

 

just fit a fiesta alt, yes the focus one is ecu controlled.

 

ok sweet, will get an adapter setup from track doodar and see what the beef is

 

i did a bit of a write up on these a while ago under my old user name,

take a read.

https://passionford.com/forum/techni...explained.html

 

thats wicked. Answered all my Q's

Thanks lads

Dave