Car Voltage Regulator: Small Size But Big Role in Charging System

1. Introduction

The vehicle power supply includes the battery and alternator. The battery takes charge of the situations when the engine does not start, such as power supply to ECU and dashboard, lighting, etc.

After the engine starts, the alternator is put into work. Its output voltage is higher than the maximum voltage of the battery. In this condition, the battery turns to be charged, and the alternator is responsible for the power supply.

The engine has five working states: idle, gear change, acceleration, deceleration and cruise. The short-time load of the car air conditioner occurs from time to time. All of these affect the engine running. They lead to changes in speed, and the alternator speed fluctuates accordingly.

The voltage regulator plays a big role in the charging system. It makes the output voltage stable. When the load or the input voltage have some change, the control circuit makes corresponding adjustments, and then drives the servo motor to rotate.

As a result, the location of the regulator's carbon brush changes to stabilize the output voltage by adjusting the coil turns ratio at the same time.

2. Function

The automotive voltage regulator is the component that automatically adjusts the output voltage. It stabilizes the supply voltage when the electrical appliances are working. The supply voltage that fluctuates is stabilized within its set value so that various electrical equipment can work at the rated working voltage.

Electrical appliances such as audio, car radio and air conditioning are powered by the car power supply. Daily driving affects the car circuit.

If there is no voltage regulator, the circuit is unstable. It causes the abnormal working state of appliances. For example, the audio sound is high for a while and low for a while, and the air conditioning does not work well.

The voltage regulator can maintain the normal operation of the vehicle appliances. In addition, this vital component stabilizes the circuit required for starting, making the ignition stable and effective.

3. Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of a vehicle voltage regulator is overheating. This issue may occur if the battery is low and no current comes into the vehicle.

The first thing to do is disconnect the car from the power supply. Then, you can put the multimeter directly on the battery terminals and read the current.

Common causes of vehicle regulator failure include poor connections and damaged wiring. If you suspect that the regulator is the culprit, there are steps you can take to fix the problem.

First, try reconnecting the parts. If this does not solve the problem, try replacing the entire connection. You may need to replace the entire regulation circuit to get rid of the trouble.

Another symptom of a faulty voltage regulator is an interruption of current. If this happens, the power to the voltage regulator circuit breaker has been cut off.

The circuit breaker in many cars contains a fuse that cuts power to the regulator if the breaker is damaged. If this happens, the power to the vehicle's power system will be shut off, allowing the battery to be charged more quickly.

To repair the voltage regulator, check the circuit breaker. Then focus on damaged wires or connectors. Run a small amount of power through the regulator. If the above actions do not fix the problem, replace the regulator and reconnect the battery.

4. Test

You can use a multimeter and follow the correct procedure for testing. Open the engine hood. Pull the lever on the inside of the vehicle to prop up the hood and remove the voltage regulator.

Set the multimeter to the "voltage" range. Connect the red meter pen to the input pin and the black meter pen to the ground pin. You can get the value of the input voltage.

This value should usually be about 1-2V higher than the regulator's design output voltage. If you can't get the value on the multimeter, your regulator is not receiving the correct current from the power supply, or the multimeter is not connected to the correct regulator pins.

5. Routine Maintenance

●  Maintain the voltage regulator once a month.

●  Clean all parts with patience, especially the exposed parts of carbon brushes and contact coils. Remember to remove dirt.

●  Check whether the voltage regulator's internal parts and the wire are loose. Poor connection or poor contact should be dealt with on time.

●  Replace worn or damaged carbon brushes in a timely manner. Repair or replace faulty or damaged components when found.

6. Reasons for Choosing Delcoribo Voltage Regulators

Alternators are vital parts in the charging system, but what to do when large input voltages damage electrical equipment? Voltage regulators come into play. Delcoribo products have high sensitivity to work in complex situations. We dedicate ourselves to the optimal design, and upgrade heat sinks. All parts get faster response time and better charging capability.

We provide trustworthy components to customers worldwide. Our clients understand the value of having a professional partner for their business. All voltage regulators can be easily installed and replaced in engines. There is a wide selection for most makes and models.

Delcoribo gains a good reputation for competitive price. A reliable company will only charge you what is reasonable. You may realize that it’s hard to bargain on this cost. Come and get what you want!