The diagnostics of windings of vehicle alternator units

INTRODUCTION: An alternator unit is a necessary unit in a vehicle, as it provides all the consumers with electricity. Therefore, the operation capability of the whole vehicle depends on the alternator unit’s operational state. The issue of the diagnostics of a vehicle alternator unit by means of determination of alternator phases’ windings active resistance is addressed.

AIM: Improvement of diagnostics informativity by means of voltage controllers with a self-diagnostic function.

METHODS: It is proposed to perform the alternator unit diagnostics without dismantling or disassembly by means of plugging to the diagnostic points.

RESULTS: The existing and known methods of vehicle alternator unit diagnostics with embedded diagnostic tools and with use of external diagnostic tools were analyzed. The method of diagnostics of phase winding active resistance with use of reference resistance was proposed. The algorithm of implementation of the proposed method was suggested. The recommendations for use of the proposed method were given.

CONCLUSIONS: The proposed diagnostics method can be used in engine control units or by technicians of maintenance stations during the alternator unit maintenance without dismantling or disassembly.