System Description

The Battery and Alternator/Regulator make up the charging system. When the Ignition Switch is in the RUN position, current flows from the Battery through the 25-amp MAIN Fuse Link, the Ignition Switch, and 15-amp HEAD Fuse Link through the Alternator/Regulator to ground.

While the Alternator Rotor is turning, with current in the Alternator Field Coil, the Alternator produces an alternating-current voltage which rectified to a direct-current voltage to operate the electrical systems and charge the Battery.

The Regulator, which is integrated with the Alternator, controls the charging voltage to approximately 14 volts.

The Charge Warning Indicator is connected across the terminals of a 100 ohm resistor at the Instrument Cluster. Current passes through the warning lamp when the Ignition Switch is in the RUN position and there is no voltage at Terminal "S" of the Regulator. When the voltage at Terminal "S" rises above a preset value, the Regulator switching circuits stop the flow of current into Terminal "I" of the Regulator and the lamp turns off.

A Fuse Link is included in the charging system wiring on all models. The Fuse Link is used to prevent damage to the wiring harness and Alternator if the wiring harness shorts to ground, or a booster battery with the wrong polarity is connected to the charging system.