Mobile power plant: compact generator
The generator is compact «power plant». It feeds all electrical units with current when the engine is running and provides the battery with its excess energy. In Mondeo, three-phase 12 Volt generators with a power of 90 Amps work in unison. They are driven by V-ribbed belts and rotate at approximately twice the engine speed. Three-phase current generators generate alternating current, which is converted into direct current by a rectifier built into the housing. The required on-board voltage is limited by a voltage regulator installed on the back of the generator. The generators charge the on-board batteries and also supply all connected electrical consumers.
Battery Care - Charging System Control with PCM
A cold battery is most effective for high voltages, a warm battery, on the contrary, refreshes with low voltage. Ford takes this fact into account in the Mondeo with an expensive regulation system: the charging system is under «supervised from above», namely the transmission control unit (RSM): it adapts the charging voltage using the intake air temperature sensor signal (IAT) with the current battery temperature. In addition, it calculates the optimal voltage value for the battery and sends a signal from it to the regulator.
At the same time, the PCM controls and controls the generator output. In the event of high current consumption or a discharged battery, the system, for example, increases the idling speed. To minimize engine load during the starting process (starter, battery), a slipper clutch disengages the belt pulley from the armature shaft: Mondeo generators only run at full load when the engine is running. PCM constantly increases the power of the generator with the help of the specified clutch. Do not try to do anything with a defective Mondeo generator - this is a typical workshop option.
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TECHNICAL DICTIONARY |
Voltage, current and resistance measurement
If you need to know whether the various electrical consumers on board your Mondeo are in good technical order, you do not need to immediately run for an auto electrician: there are a number of control devices on the market with which you can independently check the condition of electrical equipment.
Pilot lamp (with needle contact): it is designed to check whether there is voltage in a certain electrical circuit. The brighter the lamp burns, the more voltage in the circuit. With the help of a lamp needle, the insulation of the wire under test is simply pierced. Lamp wire terminal connected to ground (e.g. terminal 31 of the battery «minus pole», engine casing, bare body metal). Attention: the control lamp is not suitable for measurements on electronic devices (e.g. in the control box). For this, a probe with an LED is used - test lamps require a lot of power.
Probe with LED: Depending on the version, this device can measure DC and AC voltages in the range from 6 to about 700 volts. The presence of voltage is indicated visually by means of an LED. Similar devices are available for sale at affordable prices from 5 euros.
multimeter (universal measuring instrument): Designed to measure voltage, current strength (AC/DC) and resistance. Suitable devices with a digital display of measurement results can be found in auto supply stores at prices starting at 8 euros. These devices are usually powered by batteries.
Voltage measurement: In order, for example, to measure the battery voltage with a multimeter with an open external circuit, you must connect the marked «-» black wire to terminal 31 (minus pole) battery or ground. red wire «» measuring device should be connected to the positive terminal 30 of the battery (positive pole) or to the wire being measured. If the device shows approximately 10.4 volts, then this indicates a defect in the battery cell. Recheck the battery voltage when the starter is turned on. If it is about 5 volts (/- 0.5 V), this means that something is wrong with the battery.
Current measurement. To do this, disconnect the electrical circuit and insert a measuring device into it. For a series of measurements in a vehicle, it is sufficient to disconnect the connector and then connect the instrument between the connector and the contact tongue.
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Attention: pay attention to the measurement range of your multimeter set in the device. Very strong currents flow to consumers such as a starter, which, if installed incorrectly, can damage the device. |
Resistance measurement: You can use a multimeter to check if a wire or switch is carrying current. If the current flows unhindered, then the meter reads 0. If there is a defective wire or switch somewhere in the circuit, then the measurement result is infinity. In addition, using a multimeter, you can determine what internal resistance a certain electrical element has.
Schematic connection of the multimeter: current (A), voltage (V) and resistance (W). Consumers are, for example, lamps, electric motors or a starter. |
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