Question 4
Fig. 2 is the diagram of a part of the electrical system of a motor vehicle.
Fig. 2
(a) Use the diagram in Fig. 2 to describe the operation of a motor vehicle charging system.
(b) State how each of the following faults may affect the operation of the charging system.
(i) Loose alternator drive belt.
(ii) Loose battery terminal.
(iii) Broken alternator fan
(iv) Faulty voltage regulator
Observation
The expected responses were:
- Description of the operation of a motor vehicle charging system using Figure 2
When the engine is started, it drives the alternator via pulley and belt system. The alternator uses principle of magnetism to generate a.c voltage, the diodes in the alternator rectifies this a.c voltage to d.c form. The system incorporate voltage regulator to control the output of the alternator irrespective of the speed to avoid battery overcharging. It supplies voltage to the electrical systems as well as storing the charge in battery or maintain the battery state of charge
- (i) How loose alternator drive belt may affect the operation of the charging
system
- Low tension of the drive belt will affect the rotation of the alternator pulley and then rate of charge
- Can cause slipping and low state of charge
(ii) How loose battery terminal may affect the operation of the charging system
- Will reduce the effective charging a result of partial contact
(iii) How broken alternator fan may affect the operation of the charging system
- Results into overheating which results into burning of the other units
(iv) How faulty voltage regulator may affect the operation of the charging system
- leads to overcharging of the battery which may result into damaging of other components
- leads to alternator not charging
- leads to alternator undercharging