Honda Civic/Acura Integra

since 1994 of release

Repair and car operation

Charge system – the general information and precautionary measures

General information

The generator of the alternating current which has been built in it a regulator of tension, the indicator of level of a charge, the storage battery, protective fusible insert and electroconducting connecting listed components belong to number of components of system of a charge. The system of a charge provides giving of an electric food to ignition system, lighting and alarm devices, a radio receiver and other consumers of the electric power. The generator is put in action by a belt drive from a pulley of a cranked shaft and is established in a forward part of the engine. Additional information on electric connections of components of system of a charge can be gathered from schemes of electric connections (see. Head Onboard electric equipment).

The electronic control unit (ECU), depending on the current values of input parameters (engine turns, speed of movement of the car, temperature of cooling liquid, number of the included consumers of the electric power and temperature of soaked-up air), gives out command for adjustment of size of tension developed by the generator. The main task of system is minimization of load of the vehicle engine.

Problem of a regulator of tension is restriction of tension developed by the generator in the set limits. The regulator prevents overloads of contours and the other unpleasant phenomena connected with power surges.

The system of a charge does not need regular service. Nevertheless, it is necessary to check periodically a condition of a driving belt of the generator, the battery, electroconducting and its terminal connections (see. Head Routine maintenance).

The control lamp built in in an instrument guard quickly joins at ignition key turn in the situation ON. Right after implementation of start of the engine the lamp should go out. Refusal of a lamp of switching off testifies to malfunctions in charge system. On some models in an instrument guard the voltmeter allowing the driver during time to trace deviations of onboard tension from norm is in addition established. At an exit of indications of the voltmeter out of limits of an admissible range it is necessary to make check of system of a charge.

The fusible insert represents the short piece of the wire placed in isolation which has been built in in the main plait of electroconducting of an impellent compartment. The total section of a vein of the conductor of an insert several times is less than at chain electroconducting in which it is included that guarantees reliable protection of the last against an overload.

Precautionary measures

When joining terminal connections of electric chains equipped with the generator of an alternating current of cars it is necessary to observe special precautionary measures:

   a) At connection of electroconducting of the battery to the generator at all do not allow polarity violation;
   b) Before applying at body repair electroarc welding disconnect electroconducting from plugs of the generator and the storage battery;
   c) At all do not make engine start at the charger connected to the battery;
   d) Always, before making a battery charging from the external power supply, disconnect from it wires (at first negative);
   e) Try not to allow hit of hands, hair and free parts of clothes in contact to a rotating driving belt of the generator during checks made at the working engine;
   f) As the generator is connected directly to the battery, its overloads and short circuits are capable to cause ignition of electroconducting and to be at the bottom of a fire;
   g) Before starting steam cleaning of an impellent compartment wrap the generator in a plastic bag which then should be fixed reliably rubber bandages.