A modern car is immobilized without a generator running. It is not always possible to get to the garage or service. Hence the conclusion: avoid damage to the generator. The generator itself is a fairly reliable device and rarely fails.
Instructions
Step 1
Without going into technical details, the device looks like this: the most common three-phase alternator consists of a stator (housing with a fixed winding inside) and a rotor rotating inside. From the battery, the current flows to the rotor winding of the generator and creates a magnetic field. A collector with brushes is designed to supply current to the rotor. Given that the entire electrical system of the car uses direct current, the generator has a rectifier built into the case.
Step 2
During generator maintenance, check the voltage at the generator terminals and the condition of the drive belt. To protect against overloads in the car electrical system, a transistor relay-regulator is provided, often installed on the generator case. Often a mounted generator is used, mounted outside the power unit and driven by a belt. This is the most convenient type of generator for maintenance and repair.
Step 3
Check the operation of the generator using the battery charge indicator lamp (on the instrument panel). With a working generator and the electrical system of the car, this lamp should turn on together with other indicators when the ignition is turned on, and go out immediately after starting the engine. Any other behavior of this indicator signals the presence of malfunctions. Among these faults may be: a discharged battery, an open circuit, a contact to ground, a blown fuse or the lamp itself, a generator breakdown. The generator may have: poor contact of the collector brushes or breakdown of the relay-regulator.
Step 4
If the battery charge control indicator turns on and does not go out, in addition to the listed malfunctions, there may also be: weakening or breakage of the generator drive belt or breakdown of the rectifier unit. The latter may be accompanied by a breakdown of the relay-regulator. For a more thorough check of the generator's operation, contact a technical station that has a special stand for testing the generator.
Step 5
If the vehicle has significant mileage, wear on the rotor bearings is possible. This leads to poor brush contact. The control lamp will turn on and work continuously with a weak blinking.
Step 6
A blinking battery charging indicator can indicate various malfunctions. With minor malfunctions, you can drive for a long time without significant consequences. A malfunction, for example, of a relay regulator can lead to a short circuit in the generator and its subsequent replacement. It is rather difficult to determine the cause of the malfunction in road conditions. In most cases, this can be done by loss of battery capacity. On older cars, installed voltmeters provided more opportunities for troubleshooting. For modern cars, there is only one way out - contact the service station until the battery is completely dead.
Step 7
You can check the entire electrical circuit of a modern car only at a service station. It is difficult to repair the generator yourself. You can tighten the nuts, tighten or replace the drive belt, dry the contacts. Do not change the generator yourself - the reason may not be in it. Exception: worn out alternator (determined by characteristic noise).
Step 8
If it becomes necessary to repair the generator on the road, turn it off, dismantle and disassemble it. Connect the frayed coil wire with stripped ends and insulate. Be sure to replace the coil afterwards. If dirt or oil gets inside the generator, remove the brushes and wash them in gasoline. Then dry. Sand the collector with fine sandpaper, then wipe thoroughly.
