Thursday, November 21, 2013
The Test Equipment for an Alternator
Various parts of the car have electrical needs that are provided by the cars battery, which includes the headlights, ignition coils, engine cooling system, the radio and the air conditioner. Like with all electronic devices, the alternator can be tested using specialized equipment known as an alternator tester. These alternator testers can determine what is wrong with a particular alternator so that the problems can be fixed. Testers are especially important when initially designing the alternator so that engineers can ensure that the alternator will work in all operating conditions.
Bench Testers
Alternator bench testers must simulate the actual operating conditions of the load testers. Speed control is handled electronically when simulating the operating conditions, according to Crumbliss, a company specializing in alternator testers. Alternator testers come in many varieties. What distinguishes them is their horsepower, which ranges from five to 20; whether or not they are single or three-phase; if they have electronic variable speed; their voltage, which ranges from 12 to 32; their amperage, which ranges from 65 to 450; and their wattage, which ranges from 2100 to 7200. Horsepower is a measurement of the testers power, voltage is the amount of electrical current generated by the alternator tester, and wattage is the electrical power of the tester.
Heavy Duty Testers
There is also the heavy duty load tester that tests 12- and 24-volt automotive and diesel starters. Other heavy duty power supply testers are available that test alternating and direct currents, according to Crumbliss. These testers deliver 500 amps of constant voltage, adequate for testing powerful alternators.
Performance and Endurance Testers
Alternator performance and endurance testers have PC-based PID controllers, which are generic feedback mechanisms. The alternator speed can be adjusted electronically. They have loading in constant resistance, current and voltage modes, according to Samin Afzar company, a company that specializes in test machines for cars. They have a temperature chamber that subjects the alternator to a specific temperature that is adjustable so that certain conditions can be simulated. They have an instant 500 voltage in loading machines.
Wires Used With Testers
Wires must be connected to the coils inside the alternator so that there is an easy connection between the testing equipment and the circuits. According to All About Circuits, a company specializing in electrical wiring, the alternator often has to be taken apart so that the wires can be connected to terminals, called carbon brushes, found within the alternator. The wires are soldered to the terminals then run through the vent holes on the alternator. The wires must be run in a way that will not cause the wires to be caught by the spinning rotor.
