ALTERNATING SYSTEM AND ITS BASICS

-
Fortunately,an engine can run without the battery,i.e after starting the engine the battery can be unplugged and if the alternating system is sound,it will continue running. Unfortunately,it might cause some defects to the electrical system when run for an extended period. Likewise the engine can run without an alternator for a short period of time because of loss of power in the cells.

Oftentimes the alternator goes bad and the operator fails to identify it until it gradually leads to total breakdown. The alternator is a mechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.

In automobile the alternator is used to charge the battery and to power all electrical systems when the engine is running. It changes the spinning motion of the fan belt into electrical energy. The alternator carryout several function to enhance the efficiency of the automobile and comfort of the operator.

Modern alternators are constructed with built in regulator circuit that  switch on and off automatically to the rotor coil to regulate output voltage. For the electrical component of the automobile to work effectively the alternator supplies electric current steadily while the engine is running. Also the charging system solely depends on the alternator to supply alternating current to a rectifier
assembly which in turns converts it to direct current. The direct current produced is what is used for the battery and the car electrical system. Not forgetting the most important fact, the battery will be completely discharged without the alternator.





alternating system

HOW DOES AN ALTERNATOR WORK
The main components of an alternator are the rotor, stator and diode. The principle of operation behind an alternator is not complex, when the magnet inside a fixed coil of wire called the stator rotates about its axis, electromagnetic induction takes places,hence current induced. The rotating magnet is called the rotor. The induced current is converted to DC  by the diode.


HOW TO DETECT A FAULTY ALTERNATOR
You can tell if an alternator is bad if

  • The rotor inside the alternator which rotates on bearings fails, a loud grinding noise will be heard.

  • The voltage rating reads 12 volts when measured with a voltmeter. the standard rating of the alternator ought to be 14 volts. This test can be carried in an automobile after starting it, then switch off all electrical accessories and raise the vehicle to a fast idle. To measure, the voltmeter should be placed on the battery terminals.

  • Failed fan belt. For the alternator to work effectively, the fan belt need to spin continuously via the pulley.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ALTERNATOR GOES BAD

Here is the principal question, what happens? At first nothing happens due to the reserve power of the battery. The reserve power in the battery can travel the vehicle to far distance if the electrical accessories that drains the battery are switched off. 

What follows as the battery loses its charge, is that there will be insufficient voltage to keep the engine running properly.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TWO STROKE CYCLE ENGINE

-
Image
There are uncertainty about the longevity of the two stroke cycle engine as compared to other cycle of operation .Knowledge of Its importance and principles of operation will help justify the strength of the two stroke cycle engine as compared to others.  Internal combustion engine dated back to 1876 when Dr. Nicolaus A. Otto first invented the spark ignition engine[petrol], then Rudolf Christain Karl Diesel developed the compression ignition engine[Diesel]. Since then engines have continue to develop with new technologies as well as increase in the knowledge of engine process. The purpose of the internal combustion engine is the production of mechanical power from chemical energy contained in fuel. The energy is released by burning the fuel inside the engine.  According to the cycle of operation,engines are classified as the two stroke cycle,four stroke cycle six stroke cycle and the rotary combustion. The rise in global technology which increased the demand of new type of engi
Read more

PETROL PUMPED INTO DIESEL TANK: WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

-
Image
Fortunately you discovered you just pumped petrol instead of diesel into your compression ignition engine(Diesel engine). Oh my! the knowledge they burn completely different(volatile versus high flash point) must give you a lot to worry about. Don't panic too much, there's are ways to get over it. Filling a fuel tank is a simple task, but seconds of carelessness might result to some expensive nuisance. Possibly you might be a newbie to compression ignition engine(C.I engines) or maybe a veteran in the use of it or Probably you might be familiar to the C.I engine and the spark ignition engine,Good one. Herein this article, the anti and post caution will be highlighted. Petrol and Diesel in the fuel tank Early discovery of this nuisance will help reduce the cost of repair,that is towing immediately to he mechanical workshop for the petrol to be completely drained.  The worst case might be when the engine starts running with the fuel tank full of petrol--there are chance
Read more

THE BASICS OF THE COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE

-
Image
The compression ignition engine[C.I engines] also known as the diesel engine is invented by Dr. Rodolph Diesel. The C.I engine is an internal combustion engine in which combustion occurs as a result of the compression of the air to a temperature sufficient enough to ignite the fuel. There are several similarities and minor difference between the C.I engines and the gasoline powered engines(spark ignition engines,S.I engines). The components such as the crankshaft, camshaft, piston,valves etc they both share in common.  The same cycle of operation governs both for the four stroke and two stroke engine process. However the diesel engines can easily be recognized by the absence of the ignition system and other factors such as Injection of fuel is done via an injection pump They are noisy and produces pollutants easily It produces more power and torque Overtime, diesel engines have received massive success in the construction of heavy duty trucks,construction equipment ,power pl
Read more

Career choice 2: why MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

-
Image
Technology has been effective in the production and construction of machineries of which have upgraded the standard of living globally. This rise in technology has made complex jobs easier, and comfort of mankind enhanced through the use of smart systems/device. Devices like the fuel injection system, anti-lock braking system where software applied to control mechanism has produced a more powerful, dynamic and efficient behaviour of the vehicle when accelerating or decelerating. The industrial robots, machine tools, aircraft flight control and navigation system, washing machines and dryers have helped the standard of living. These devices are produced by the MECHATRONICS ENGINEERS. MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING The engineering technology called "mechatronics" was invented by Tetsuro mori who was a senior engineer at the yaskawa electrical corporation in 1969. In 1971,  the word mechatronics was registered as a trademark by the company in Japan with the registration number 4
Read more

THE TURBOCHARGER SERIES

-
Image
The value of the turbo charger in an automobile is unknown to a few engineers and its users, because they lack the proper knowledge on these points of the component itself. http://d3e98kcom2u4ch.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/oldblog/2016/09/turbocharger-operation-diagram.jpg What is the value of the turbocharger? What is it made of? How does it work? Where can it applied? Likely problem encountered Ignorantly we think the main reason motor A generates more power,higher velocity,consumes less fuel, sometimes environmental friendly than motor B is because of the engine structure or size. But there is one way to improve an engine which is the turbocharger. The turbocharger is an exhaust-gas driven component of an engine that increases the volumetric efficiency of air in an engine in order to increase its power.  It consist of a casing,impellers and shaft. Generally, the charge[mixture of fuel and air] that flows into the combustion chamber produces the torqu
Read more

Career choice(why MECHANICAL ENGINEERING)

-
Image
Mechanical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses creative abilities and knowledge to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical system through the application of physics, material science and engineering principles. Mechanical engineering is known as the structure of engineering because of its ability to understand, predict and calculate the stability, rigidity and the strength(plasticity, elasticity,  toughness, hardness) of materials used in construction of a structure. Branches of Mechanical Engineering This field of engineering consist of various branches due to it complex form. Some of the branches are Vehicle engineering: This branch of engineering consist of automobile engineering,  aerospace engineering and marine engineering. Manufacturing engineering: it focuses on the application of engineering procedures in manufacturing processes and production method to improve quality of the product. The procedures consists of robotics, computer network,
Read more

THE MAIN FACTORS BEHIND LOSS OF POWER IN AN ENGINE

-
Image
Most operators lacks the proper knowledge on how to use and maintain an engine. Knowing the requirements for an engine to produce power and other function are important factors that must be learned in engine maintenance.   Humans are mostly ignorant of the sign of power loss that emanate from the engine even when they are sometimes pronounced. For an engine to produce or loss power there are four factors that must be consider AIR FUEL COMPRESSION SPARK PLUG AIR Generally, in the absent of air, combustion of fuel can not occur. The mixture of air and fuel, known as the charge is a major factor for an engine to produce power,in absential power can not be generated. Air contains dust,dirt particles and other contaminants of which if drawn into the injector, it causes blockage of  the injector nozzle and the running jet of the carburetor. in cases like this, the air filter is applied to prevent the dirt and contaminant from flowing through to the mixing chamber. The air
Read more

CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES OF AN OFFICE CHAIR

-
Image
The construction procedures of an executive office chair are stated below Selection of materials Engineering drawing/sketches Measuring and marking out dimension Cutting operations Drilling operations Formation of shapes Joining operations Upholstery Surface finishing SELECTION OF WORKING MATERIALS This involves the consideration of the best materials for the construction of the chair. Materials such as galvanized mild steel pipe, mild steel rod, mild steel plate,  leathers, foam, rubber hose, electrode, paint, screw nut,  bolt and adhesive. ENGINEERING DRAWING/SKETCHES Engineering drawing is the first thing to do when constructing the executive office chair, it gives the graphical conception of the chair. It helps to remain focus on the ideal chair to be constructed. MEASURING AND MARKING OUT This involves the use of vernier calliper and measuring tape to take a precise dimension of the work piece. Tools like scriber and talc are also used to mark out the measure
Read more

ROBOTIC FISH makes discovery safer underwater

-
Image
The 21st century scientists are working extremely hard to make life easier for humans.  The invention of domestic and industrial robots and other devices makes the work done efficient,  though it threatens welfare of humans. Scientists have developed robotic fish to help researchers do underwater research. The robo-fish can swim alongside real fish to give new perception into life below. The robotic fish named SoFi was developed by MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), can be controlled with sound. SoFi swims by flapping its hydraulic-pump powered tail back and forth.  The clever robot can also control its own buoyancy through adjusting an internal foam material. During test dives in the Rainbow Reef in Fiji, SoFi was able to swim down 15 meters for more than 0 minutes at a time. It could navigate and respond to current and avoid collision with coral. During the swim, SoFi collected data by taking photos and videos using its b
Read more

5 AMATEUR MECHANICS WHO TURNED THEIR CAR INTO WORK OF ART

-
Image
1. The Carthedral: A Cathedral on Wheels Built from a hearse and topped with a VW Bug, Rebecca Caldwell's Carthedral is an ambitious gothic car art piece. The piece is entirely street legal, and features spires, buttresses, and other gothic flourishes you'd expect to find in a several-centuries-old church. 2. The Phantom Built by Truant Studios' William T. Burge,  The Phantom  began with only a VW motor, an axle, suspension and steering. Burge built the entire body from scratch, welding small pieces of steel together to create the car's iconic look. It features three imposing gargoyle heads, and its design is based on that of a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic. 3. Thor: The Norse God of Cars Built in Denver, Colorado, the  Thor art car  started as a Burning Man mutant vehicle project. Since its debut at the festival, it has traveled the world. The double-decker vehicle is a mobile party space, with lightweight metal framing providing the basis
Read more