Automobile Starting & Charging System

 Automobile Charging And Starting System

When the vehicles are running in the proper manners Starting, Charging and lighting system plays a major role in for smooth operation of any vehicles. These three systems are consists of vehicles electrical or electronic system. The main resource of Starting, Charging and Lighting system are vehicles batteries. The automobile battery supplies an electric current to operate the starting system provides for cranking/ starting the engine. The charging system helps to charge batteries and control the other electrical and electronic devices. The lighting system operates various lights in motor vehicles. 

PURPOSE OF STARTING SYSTEM 

It is the system using which an engine is cranked for starting purposes. The starter motor or self-starter is a main component of the starring system. The self-starter is an electrical motor that can rotate the crankshaft to start the engine. It converts electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy then rotates the crankshaft.

The starting system has two separate but related circuits:

One is the low current control circuit. The other is the high current motor circuit. Both operate on battery voltage.

STARTER MOTOR / SELF STARTER

Self Starter is an electric motor, battery current supplies to the self-starter through battery positive terminal cable for the engine cranking or starting purposes. The construction of a self-starter motor is similar to the alternator. Starter motors vary in size and construction. Most automobile starter motors have used electromagnets to produce the magnetic field.  The starter motor consists of a field coil, pole pieces, armature, commutator, brush gear and solenoid switch. The starter motor is a series of wound machines. Bendix drive gear is an important drive arrangement of the starting motor. Solenoid switch to connect the magnetic winding with the battery. A gear on the starter motor shaft moves into mesh with the flywheel ring gear or drive plate. The starter motor shaft turns, it spins the crankshaft fast enough to start the engine. The approximately gear ratio is 5:1 between the cranking motor pinion and the engine flywheel gear or drive plate.

Starting System Trouble 

The three basic starting system complaints are 

(i) The engine does not crank 

(ii) The engine crank is slow but does not start.

(iii) The engine cranks normally but does not start. This condition is not caused by the starting system. Otherwise, it indicates causes/problems in the engine fuel or ignition system.

 How are the starter motor linked to the engine flywheel or drive plate? 

The starter motors are linked to the engine flywheel or drive plate through a small pinion, which acts as gear reduction.

What will you check first if the starter motor fails? 

First, check the state of the battery and tightness and the cleanness of electrical joints and solenoid switch wiring linkage of the starter motor.

What are the reasons for the failure of a starter motor to crank an engine?

Sometimes the starter may not crank the engine due to - 

• Excessive resistance in cranking circuit 

• Excessive play driveshaft pinion or Bendix gear.

• Rusted starter driveshaft bushes 

• Short circuits in the solenoid.

AUTOMOBILE CHARGING SYSTEM

The vehicle's batteries are the storage of direct current. It should often be kept in a charged condition. In the vehicle electrical system, a device converts mechanical energy into electric energy for charging the battery and supplying power for the electrical load. This system includes the Alternator with regulator, battery and connecting wires. The charging system is made possible by the alternator. 

The main purpose of the Charging system restores to the battery charge. To handle the electric load of the lights, infotainment system, ignition and electrical and electronic equipment while the engine is running. 

ALTERNATOR 

This is a converter device that converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. Earlier, Older days used dynamo instead of the alternator it was not sufficient to provide voltage output for the operates to electrical equipment and devices. The alternator, which is used in most modern vehicles. It usually mounts on the side of the engine driven by a crankshaft pulley with the help of V-belts (Engine Fan belts). It supplies alternative current (ac) which is converted to direct current (dc) by diode rectifier, voltage regulator and transistor type regulator. 

Nowadays modern vehicles required more electricity these vehicles have electrically operated windows (power windows), electric sliding ventilates front seats, air conditioning, infotainment system and other electric devices or equipment automatic gearbox, clutch sleeve cylinders etc. In large cities, vehicles have to often move at low speeds due to heavy traffic. Any direct current dynamo will not be able to charge the battery at such low speeds. Therefore the alternator is used for all modern vehicles.

Advantage of an Alternator

• It is light in weight and has less space occupied.

• It does not have a a commutator, carbon brush and armature resulting in the saving of copper.

• It produces enough electricity even at a slow speed and higher output.

• It has fewer parts and requires less maintenance as it is a simpler machine.

The Lighting System of Modern Vehicles

 First and foremost Automobiles, Electricity plays an important role in modern vehicles. In older days, Electricity was used only for ignition,  starting system, essential lighting systems and horns. Nowadays, more electricity is used for modern vehicles apart from the ignition, starting, lighting and horns.  other electrical components and accessories. Like air-conditioner heater, power windows, door lock (centre lock system) seat adjuster, trunk (Dickey) lock, windshield wiper & washer cigarette lighter, USB port mobile charging, touchscreen infotainment system, these all components use electric current and voltage, with support of the Vehicles Electronic control System in the monitor of the Electronic Control Module/Unit (ECM/U). These systems and  features are in the as standard modern vehicles.