Alternator - CHRYSLER: Description

Chrysler vehicles use either a conventional 60 or 78 amp alternator or the 114 amp high capacity alternator. The 114 amp alternator has 12 silicon rectifiers that convert A.C. current into D.C.; the others have only 6 silicon rectifiers. Main components are the rotor, stator, rectifiers, end shields and pulley.

Output voltage is limited by an external electronic voltage regulator on all models (except 2.6L) which controls the amount of current that is allowed to pass through the alternator field winding. The regulator has no moving parts and requires no adjustment after it is set at factory.

This unit contains several semiconductor components, transistors and diodes plus some resistors and a capacitor. A large transistor is placed in series with the alternator field winding and a control circuit which senses system voltage and turns the transistor on and off as required.

As alternator speed and electrical system load conditions change, the control circuit is turning the transistor on and off many times per second most of the time the engine is in operation.

The only time the transistor is not turning on and off rapidly, is during low engine speed operation when high electrical loads are present (which require alternator field to be in the "ON" state continuously). The electronic voltage regulator control circuit can also vary the regulated system voltage up or down as temperature changes.