Starting and Charging System

The Components of the Starting and Charging

System

• Battery
• Ignition Switch
• Solenoid
• Starting Motor
• Alternator
 Battery

• An automotive battery is a rechargeable battery that

supplies electrical energy to a motor vehicle. It is also
known as an SLI battery (starting-lighting-ignition) and its
main purpose is to start the engine.
• Modern SLI batteries are lead-acid type, using six series-
connected cells to provide a nominal 12 volt system (in
most passenger vehicles and light trucks), or twelve cells
for a 24 volt system in heavy trucks or earth-moving
equipment.
 Types of Battery

• Wet/Flooded Battery: Sealed flooded battery are designed

to be maintenance—free, meaning you don’t have to add
water at any time, they are sealed.
• Calcium-Calcium Battery: This battery has a calcium alloy
that is on the different charged plates. This calcium
reduces the amount of fluid loss and the rate of self
discharge is much slower.
 Types Of Battery

• Deep Cycle: A deep cycle battery will provide power for a

very long time. These are typically used on small boats,
golf carts, or electric vehicles. You will also find these
used to collect and store solar and wind power. These
batteries have thicker plates inside the battery as this
increases the capacity charge. They are typically not used
for cars because they have a high discharge rate, so the
battery will run down very quickly.
 Types of Battery

• Lithium Ion Battery: Some high performance vehicles or

limited edition cars will offer a lithium ion battery.The
Porsche 911 2010 model uses the lithium ion battery for
starting. These are very expensive batteries, and starting
costs for cars are about $1,000.
Specification of Battery
• Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) – the amperage rating the battery can provide at
0-degrees F for 30 seconds without dropping below 7.2 volts. This is the
most important measure of a battery, and is the typical rating used for
selecting the appropriate battery for a vehicle.
• Reserve Capacity (RC) – measured in minutes, this is how long the battery
will provide 25 amps until the battery voltage drops to 10.5 volts. This is used
on both starting and deep cycle batteries.
• Cranking Amps (CA) – the rating of cranking amperage measured at 32
degrees F
• Amp Hour (AH) – typically used for deep-cycle batteries, this illustrates the
amperage capacity. A battery with 150 amp hours rating would provide 15
amps for 10 hours, 10 amps for 15 hours or 150 amps for 1 hour.
Battery Specs
Battery
 Ignition Switch
• An ignition switch or starter switch is a switch in the control
system of an internal combustion engined motor vehicle that
activates the main electrical systems for the vehicle. Besides
providing power to the starter solenoid and the ignition system
components it also usually switches on power to many
"accessories" (radio, power windows, etc.).The ignition switch
usually requires a key be inserted that works a lock built into the
switch mechanism. It is frequently combined with the starter
switch which activates the starter motor. The ignition locking
system may be bypassed by disconnecting the wiring to the
switch and manipulating it directly; this is known as hotwiring.
Ignition Switch
 Solenoid and Starting Motor

• A starter is an electric motor that turns over or "cranks"

the engine to start it. It consists of a powerful DC (Direct
Current) electric motor and the starter solenoid that is
attached to the motor.The starter motor is powered by the
car battery. To turn over the engine the starter motor
requires a very high electric current, which means the
battery has to have sufficient power.
 Solenoid and Starting Motor

• The starter solenoid

works as a powerful
electric relay. When
activated, it closes the
electric circuit and sends
the battery power to the
starter motor. At the same,
the starter solenoid
pushes the starter gear
forward to mesh it with the
engine flywheel (flexplate)
Operation of the Starting System

• When you turn the ignition

key to the START position,
the battery voltage goes
through the starter control
circuit and activates the
starter solenoid, which in
turn energizes the starter
motor.
 Operation of the Starting System

• At the same time, the

starter solenoid pushes
the starter gear forward to
mesh it with the engine
flywheel (flexplate in an
automatic transmission).
The flywheel is attached to
the engine crankshaft. The
starter motor spins, turning
over the engine crankshaft
allowing the engine to
Solenoid and Starting Motor
 Alternator

• An alternator is a generator of electric power in you car

and is a major component of your vehicle's charging
system. Whenever your engine is running, the alternator
charges your battery and supplies additional electric
power for the vehicle's electrical systems. An alternator is
attached to the engine and is driven by a drive belt (also
known as a serpentine belt).
 Alternator

• The battery is charged by an alternator on modern cars,

or by a dynamo on earlier ones. Both are types of
generator, and are driven by a belt from the engine.
• The electricity is alternating current - its direction of flow
changes back and forth every time the rotor turns. It has
to be rectified - turned into a one-way flow, or direct
current.
 Components of an Alternator

• The rotor and stator of an alternator are a belt-driven

group of magnets inside copper wiring that creates a
magnetic field. The belt is driven by a pulley connecting to
the engine, allowing the rotor to spin at a high speed,
creating a magnetic field. The stator then creates voltage
and electricity to flow to the diode assembly. The
electricity created is alternate current, or AC.
• An alternator's diode assembly converts AC electricity to
direct current, or DC, which is the current type used by
car batteries.
 Components of an Alternator

• The voltage regulator is an alternator's surge protector.

Modern voltage regulators, which are internal systems,
monitor both alternator and battery voltage, adjusting the
current when necessary. Older voltage regulators were
externally mounted.
Alternator