Hello Folks I am looking for an output performance graph for an automotive internally regulated alternator. Does anybody have such data?
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Alternator Curves
Some Alternator Output Curves: http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/pmacurves.html http://www.humvee.net/hid/electric/altout.html http://www.bosch.com.au/productcatalogue/sat/products/files/alternators_starters.pdf Since the engine speed varies in a vehicle, the frequency also varies with the change of speed. Likewise, increasing the number of pairs of magnetic north and south poles will increase the frequency by the number pair of poles. A four-pole generator can generate twice the frequency per revolution of a two- pole rotor. Alternator Output Control A voltage regulator controls alternator output by changing the amount of current flow through the rotor windings. Any change in rotor winding current changes the strength of the magnetic field acting on the stator windings. In this way, the voltage regulator can maintain a preset charging voltage. The three basic types of voltage regulators are as follows: Contact point voltage regulator, mounted away from the alternator in the engine compartment Electronic voltage regulator, mounted away from the alternator in the engine compartment Electronic voltage regulator, mounted on the back or inside the alternator The contact point voltage regulator uses a coil, set of points, and resistors that limits system voltage. The electronic or solid-state regulators have replaced this older type. The electronic voltage regulators use an electronic circuit to control rotor field strength and alternator output. It is a sealed unit and is not repairable. The electronic circuit must be sealed to prevent damage from moisture, excessive heat, and vibration. A rubberlike gel surrounds the circuit for protection. An integral voltage regulator is mounted inside or on the rear of the alternator. This is the most common type used on modern vehicles. It is small, efficient, dependable, and composed of integrated circuits. An electronic voltage regulator performs the same operation as a contact point regulator, except that it uses transistors, diodes, resistors, and capacitors to regulate voltage in the system. To increase alternator output, the electronic voltage regulator allows more current into the rotor windings, thereby strengthen the magnetic field around the rotor. More current is then induced into the stator windings and out of the alternator. To reduce alternator output, the electronic regulator increases the resistance between the battery and the rotor windings. The magnetic field decreases and less current is induced into the stator windings. Alternator speed and load determines whether the regulator increases or decreases charging output. If the load is high or rotor speed is low (engine at idle), the regulator senses a drop in system voltage. The regulator then increases the rotors magnetic field current until a preset output voltage is obtained. If the load drops or rotor speed increases, the opposite occurs. HTH Gord
Some Alternator Output Curves: http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/pmacurves.html http://www.humvee.net/hid/electric/altout.html http://www.bosch.com.au/productcatalogue/sat/products/files/alternators_starters.pdf Since the engine speed varies in a vehicle, the frequency also varies with the change of speed. Likewise, increasing the number of pairs of magnetic north and south poles will increase the frequency by the number pair of poles. A four-pole generator can generate twice the frequency per revolution of a two- pole rotor. Alternator Output Control A voltage regulator controls alternator output by changing the amount of current flow through the rotor windings. Any change in rotor winding current changes the strength of the magnetic field acting on the stator windings. In this way, the voltage regulator can maintain a preset charging voltage. The three basic types of voltage regulators are as follows: Contact point voltage regulator, mounted away from the alternator in the engine compartment Electronic voltage regulator, mounted away from the alternator in the engine compartment Electronic voltage regulator, mounted on the back or inside the alternator The contact point voltage regulator uses a coil, set of points, and resistors that limits system voltage. The electronic or solid-state regulators have replaced this older type. The electronic voltage regulators use an electronic circuit to control rotor field strength and alternator output. It is a sealed unit and is not repairable. The electronic circuit must be sealed to prevent damage from moisture, excessive heat, and vibration. A rubberlike gel surrounds the circuit for protection. An integral voltage regulator is mounted inside or on the rear of the alternator. This is the most common type used on modern vehicles. It is small, efficient, dependable, and composed of integrated circuits. An electronic voltage regulator performs the same operation as a contact point regulator, except that it uses transistors, diodes, resistors, and capacitors to regulate voltage in the system. To increase alternator output, the electronic voltage regulator allows more current into the rotor windings, thereby strengthen the magnetic field around the rotor. More current is then induced into the stator windings and out of the alternator. To reduce alternator output, the electronic regulator increases the resistance between the battery and the rotor windings. The magnetic field decreases and less current is induced into the stator windings. Alternator speed and load determines whether the regulator increases or decreases charging output. If the load is high or rotor speed is low (engine at idle), the regulator senses a drop in system voltage. The regulator then increases the rotors magnetic field current until a preset output voltage is obtained. If the load drops or rotor speed increases, the opposite occurs. HTH Gord
Alt chart
Thanks Gord for the information. This is quite complete. As far as the graph though, I was looking for volt / amp levels over time for automotive type internally regulated alternator. Something like http://www.amplepower.com/ps_reports/v2-2/index.html,
Thanks Gord for the information. This is quite complete. As far as the graph though, I was looking for volt / amp levels over time for automotive type internally regulated alternator. Something like http://www.amplepower.com/ps_reports/v2-2/index.html,
?
Bert: Are you analyzing the efficacy of different Alternator Regulators? If so, there is NO Internal Regulator that can match the performance of ANY decent External Regulator. Balmar make fine products. Gord
Bert: Are you analyzing the efficacy of different Alternator Regulators? If so, there is NO Internal Regulator that can match the performance of ANY decent External Regulator. Balmar make fine products. Gord
re: regulator efficiency
Thanks Gord, I am aware of the superior efficiency of external regulators. This is what I am trying to demonstrate. I am looking for a graph that would show the internal regulator efficiency to charge a deep cycle battery over time. Bert
Thanks Gord, I am aware of the superior efficiency of external regulators. This is what I am trying to demonstrate. I am looking for a graph that would show the internal regulator efficiency to charge a deep cycle battery over time. Bert
But, Bert
it just doesn't work that way. No comparison. Automotive (i.e., internal) regulators just do NOT have to do what is required (requested?) for deep cycle marine battery recharge applications. What's the point of the analysis? (OK, boat's not in the water yet?) We already KNOW that automotive regulation just doesn't work for boats that want to minimize engine run time. Stu
it just doesn't work that way. No comparison. Automotive (i.e., internal) regulators just do NOT have to do what is required (requested?) for deep cycle marine battery recharge applications. What's the point of the analysis? (OK, boat's not in the water yet?) We already KNOW that automotive regulation just doesn't work for boats that want to minimize engine run time. Stu
data speaks for itself
I realize it Stu, but there are automotive alternators being sold to boaters out there and I wish to make a point to these guys. Without data, there is no case for the non-believers!
I realize it Stu, but there are automotive alternators being sold to boaters out there and I wish to make a point to these guys. Without data, there is no case for the non-believers!
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