With the increasing electrification of automobiles, the power consumption of automobiles is also on the rise. Steering wheel heating, seat heating, high-power audio, multimedia entertainment systems, intelligent driver assistance systems, HVAC systems, automatic start/stop systems ...... These configurations are all "big users of electricity". The growing demand for electricity has undoubtedly greatly increased the load of the vehicle power supply system, and the generator, which is the source of the vehicle's electrical energy, has put forward higher performance requirements. As the source of electricity for the entire vehicle, the working condition of the generator directly affects the normal operation of the vehicle's functions. Only let the generator always maintain a good working condition, to ensure that the vehicle in a variety of working conditions can run stably.

So, in daily use how to accurately determine whether the generator is in good working condition? Here are a few practical and easy to operate detection methods:

1. Monitor the Charging Indicator Light

Modern automobile dashboard are equipped with a similar appearance to the battery fault indicator, most car owners are accustomed to call it "battery light". However, this naming is actually a misunderstanding - the indicator is not used to indicate battery failure, but is specifically designed to reflect the generator status. Its working principle is: when the ignition switch is turned on but not yet started the engine, because the generator has not yet begun to generate electricity, charging indicator should be normally lit; and in the successful start of the engine, if the generator is working properly, the indicator will automatically go out. In other words, the illumination of this indicator light actually means that there is an abnormality in the power generation system. Therefore, when the vehicle traveling in the indicator light suddenly lit, or after the start is never extinguished, it means that the power generation system may be a failure, the need for timely overhaul.

2.  Check the Battery Charge Level

A normal generator, can be in the process of vehicle operation for the battery to continue to replenish power. As long as the vehicle is often traveling, the generator to the battery charged with electricity will be greater than the battery due to start the vehicle, the engine off state short-time power (such as the use of audio, lights, etc.) or natural self-discharge and consumption of electricity, so that the battery can always maintain a good state of charge. On the contrary, if the battery is often a loss of power phenomenon, and even in the full power soon after the loss of power again, in ruling out the battery itself aging damage, vehicle wiring leakage and other possibilities, it is very likely that the generator is not working well resulting in insufficient power generation. It is worth noting that, long-term in a state of power loss of battery life will be greatly shortened, the formation of a vicious cycle.

3.  Inspect the Generator Drive Belt

generator usually through the engine accessories belt (common V-belt, wedge belt, etc.) to obtain power. With the growth of the use of time, the belt will be due to long-term force, high temperature aging and other reasons gradually appear elasticity weakening, surface cracking, wear and tear, resulting in loosening, slipping or even fracture. It should be noted that, even if the generator itself does not have any faults, the belt slippage will directly lead to the generator speed is insufficient, resulting in a decline in power generation. In serious cases, it will not only cause the battery to be undercharged, but the vehicle may also experience engine shaking, weak acceleration or even sudden stalling in the process of driving, which is a great safety hazard. Therefore, it is recommended that owners open the engine compartment cover every once in a while, visually check the status of the generator belt, such as found on the surface of the obvious cracks, edge peeling, grooves wear or too much belt powder chips, should be replaced in a timely manner to avoid small losses.

4.  Measure Power Generation with a Multimeter

When the above methods suspect that the generator may be faulty, if you have some hands-on ability and conditions, the use of multimeter measurement is the most accurate method. Specific operation is: first in the vehicle maintenance manual or related information to find the generator plug on the output terminals and the location of the hitch terminals, and then in the engine running state, the multimeter will be adjusted to the DC voltage file, measuring the voltage of the two ends of the battery. A normal generator should have its output voltage stabilized between 13.5-14.5V. Even at night when the headlights, air conditioning and other high-power power equipment, the voltage should not be less than 12.5 V. If the measured voltage is too low (such as less than 12 V) or too high (such as more than 15 V), it indicates that the generator or the voltage regulator is faulty.

As the core component of a vehicle's power supply system, the generator is easily overlooked by vehicle owners because of its usually long design life and relatively low failure rate. However, once the failure occurs, the consequences may be very serious: light lead to vehicle power equipment work abnormally (such as dimming lights, audio restart, slow window lifting, etc.), or in the process of driving caused by the whole vehicle power interruption, resulting in engine stalling, power steering and braking power failure, seriously endangering the safety of driving. Therefore, it is recommended that you develop a regular attention to the generator work.