What is a Alternator Voltage Regulator?
The alternator voltage regulator is a component of the electrical system on a car, truck, or SUV. More specifically, the voltage regulator is part of the charging system responsible for managing the output of the alternator and maintaining a full charge on the battery . It is either housed inside or attached to the alternator.
How does an Alternator Voltage Regulator work?
The voltage regulator works with the alternator to make sure that electrical output stays within 13.5-14.5 volts and that the battery stays charged. A vehicle's battery is used to provide power to start the engine, and it is used to smooth out the supply of electricity when the vehicle is running. In time, a battery would lose its charge and die if it had to run all of the systems on a vehicle and if it was not recharged regularly. The alternator is responsible for taking over once the engine starts. The alternator provides power for all of the vehicle electrical systems (with help from the battery in the case of a load spike) and is responsible for keeping the battery in a state of full charge. If the battery gets too weak, the alternator charges the battery. Once the battery is fully charged, the alternator stops charging. The voltage regulator monitors the battery's state of charge and signals to the alternator when it is time to charge and time to stop charging.
What are the symptoms of a bad Alternator Voltage Regulator?
Symptoms of a bad voltage regulator might include a dead battery, dim or pulsing dash lights, or erratic engine performance. Each of these symptoms can also be attributed to other causes, but if the voltage regulator is failing, it can prevent the battery from charging properly or the alternator from putting out the correct voltage for vehicle operation. If the voltage regulator is not signaling to the alternator that it is time to generate a charge, the battery will discharge. A weak or dead battery will not be able to start the vehicle. If the battery drains while the vehicle is running (because the alternator is not putting out a charge), the headlights may dim, the dash lights may dim or pulse, and the vehicle could stall, leaving the steering system powerless and leading to difficulty braking. If the voltage regulator is faulty, a warning light on the dashboard should illuminate.