DIY Opel Vectra generator repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of the Opel Vectra generator from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

1. The vehicles in question use an alternator. When installing additional electrical equipment, check that the generator has enough power to supply new consumers with electricity.

2. The generator is driven by a multi-ribbed belt from the engine crankshaft.

3. The generator is an electromagnetically excited electric machine. A rectifier is built into the generator to convert AC to DC. The output voltage is regulated by a built-in regulator.

4. When the generator is operating, the electric current flowing through the excitation winding creates a magnetic flux around the rotor poles. When the rotor rotates, its magnetic poles periodically change under each stator tooth, as a result, the magnetic flux passing through the teeth continuously changes in magnitude and voltage. This alternating magnetic flux creates an electromotive force (EMF) in the stator winding.

5. At a high rotor speed, when the generator output voltage begins to exceed 13.6 + 14.5 V, the voltage regulator is locked, and the current does not pass through the field winding. When the voltage drops, the regulator is unlocked again, allowing the current to flow freely through the field winding. The higher the rotor speed, the longer the regulator remains locked and, accordingly, the more the voltage at the generator output decreases. The process of locking and unlocking the regulator occurs at a high frequency, therefore the output oscillations remain practically invisible and the generator voltage can be considered constant, maintained at a level of 13.6 + 14.5 V.

Video (click to play).

6. The charging system does not require periodic maintenance, however, the condition and replacement of the alternator drive belt, battery and its wiring should be carried out on a regular basis in accordance with the maintenance schedule.

7. The serviceability of the charging system is monitored using a corresponding lamp on the instrument cluster (Controls and operating methods ").

Safety precautions when servicing the generator

• Do not disconnect the battery or voltage regulator while the engine is running;

• Do not short to ground the generator excitation terminal or the cable attached to it;

• Do not confuse the order of connecting the voltage regulator wiring;

• When charging the storage battery without removing it from the car, make sure that both wires are disconnected from it;

• Remember that switching on a grounded voltage regulator will instantly destroy it;

• Never remove the generator with the battery connected;

• Never use voltage meters or probe lamps connected to a household network (110/220 V) when checking on-board electrical equipment;

• When checking the status of diodes, do not apply more than 12 V to them and do not use megohm meters that also have a high output voltage - diode breakdown will lead to a short circuit. Remember that when checking the insulation of electrical wiring using a megohmmeter, you must disconnect all electrical wiring from the generator;

• Before carrying out any electric welding work on the car, do not forget to disconnect the electrical wiring from the generator and the storage battery;

• Perform any checks of the circuits and assemblies of the on-board electrical wiring with the engine off and the battery disconnected;

• Remember that polarity reversal of any connections carries the risk of irreversible damage to the rectifier and generator voltage regulator.

Generator voltage check

8. If the storage battery does not charge or does not charge sufficiently while the vehicle is moving, it is necessary to check the voltage of the alternator.

9. Connect a voltmeter between the positive and negative poles of the battery and start the engine. The voltage should drop to about 8 V when starting (at an ambient temperature of + 20'C)

10. Increase the number of engine revolutions up to 3000 rpm - if the generator and the regulator are working properly, the voltage at the terminals should be from 13 to 14.5 V

11. To check the stability of the voltage, turn on the high beam and repeat the measurements at 3000 rpm. The measured voltage should increase by more than 0.4 V from the previously measured values.

12. If the readings are outside the rated value, the generator and regulator must be checked in a specialized workshop.

13. Disconnect a wire from the negative plug of the storage battery. , remove the multi-ribbed belt and belt tensioner.

14. Disconnect the wiring connector Image - DIY Opel Vectra generator repair