---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 12/30/15: 4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:13 AM - Re: Re: Alternator and regulator connections (C&K) 2. 06:54 AM - Re: Alternator and regulator connections (user9253) 3. 07:06 AM - Re: Alternator and regulator connections (user9253) 4. 01:24 PM - Re: Re: Alternator and regulator connections (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:13:19 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator and regulator connections From: C&K If the regulator is an unknown automobile unit, isn't it more likely that one field terminal should go to positive rather than ground as per most cars since the 70's. Before permanently wiring anything, I would be inclined to test whether the regulator F terminal goes to ground or positive when system voltage is low. Similar for the Light terminal as it may need the warning light bulb to positive voltage rather than ground. Ken On 29/12/2015 3:24 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: > At 10:02 AM 12/29/2015, you wrote: >> >> Here are some educated guesses: >> Reg Sense: Connect to main power bus through a fuse. Do not connect >> to IGN terminal. >> Warn Lite: Use the trial and error method. The lamp will limit the >> current so hopefully no harm will be done if polarity is wrong. I >> suggest first connecting the lamp to the main power bus through a >> fuse. It should light up when the engine is not running. If not, >> then try connecting the lamp to ground. > > Joe has it nailed . . . > > With respect to TWO field terminals on > alternator. Ground ONE and run the other to > the F terminal on regulator. These terminals > are not polarity sensitive. > > > Bob . . . > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:54:56 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator and regulator connections From: "user9253" This particular alternator has two field connections. One field terminal does go to positive (from the regulator). And the other one goes to negative. Polarity does not matter because an alternator produces AC voltage. So even if the polarity of the field wires is reversed, the alternator will still produce AC voltage. Six diodes rectify the 3 phase AC from the stator windings into DC. Unlike this alternator, most modern automotive alternators have the voltage regulator located inside of the alternator case. Some of these automotive alternators might have a terminal marked "F". But that terminal does not connect to an external voltage regulator because there is already one inside of the alternator case. https://alternatorparts.com/understanding-alternators.html -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=451496#451496 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:06:02 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator and regulator connections From: "user9253" Below is a link to a Youtube animated movie that explains how alternators work. http://tinyurl.com/Alternator-Explained -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=451498#451498 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 01:24:28 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator and regulator connections At 09:04 AM 12/30/2015, you wrote: > >Below is a link to a Youtube animated movie that explains how >alternators work. >http://tinyurl.com/Alternator-Explained This video is a little mis-leading. The final evolutionary step in alternator development shows a dc generator driving a commutator wtih power pickoff brushes driving the alternator's slip rings. I don't think anyone would build one this way because the whole idea behind the itty-bitty generator sharing a shaft with the alternator is to arrive at a totally BRUSHLESS design. A tiny alternator with a rotating power winding excited by a STATIONARY field would excite a small 3-phase rectifier on the rotating assembly and wired such that DC power output excites the ROTATING field of the main alternator. ALL brushless designs will exploit this configuration for wild frequency AC alternators, constant speed alternators or beefy versions of the legacy vehicular alternator/rectifiers machines but with no slip-rings. Bob . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.