Charging System: Description and Operation

The Battery and Integral Alternator Regulator (IAR) make up the Charging System. With the Ignition Switch in the RUN position, battery is applied through the solid-state electronic control Voltage Regulator of the IAR. The electronic control applies battery voltage to the Alternator Field.

With current in the field and the rotor turning, the Alternator stator produces a DC voltage at B+ terminals (to battery). If the Alternator output voltage is greater then the battery terminal voltage, current will flow from the Alternator to the battery, as well as the vehicle electrical load.

If the Alternator voltage is less then the battery terminal voltage, current will flow from the battery to supplement the Alternator output supplying the vehicle electrical load.