Alternator & Regulator: Operation

The voltage regulator controls the field using a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal, measured in duty cycles. A PWM signal continuously cycles on and off; the on-time can vary within each cycle.

When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position, the PCM applies voltage to the regulator before engine is started. The regulator, now in field strobe function, applies a small percentage of the duty cycle to the field windings, which produce a magnetic field. As alternator RPM increases, the field strobe function is disabled and normal regulation occurs.

When field current is on, the regulator switches the field current on and off at a fixed frequency of about 400 cycles per second. By varying the overall time on and off, correct average field current for proper system voltage control is achieved. At high speeds, the on-time may be 10 percent. At low speeds with a heavy electrical load, the on-time may be as much as 90 percent.

The PCM monitors the regulator from the field terminal of the generator. If the PWM duty cycle falls to less than 7 percent on-time, the PCM senses a fault and indicates a problem by illuminating the BATTERY NO CHARGE telltale.