Automobile Engineering

ME-4015
Automobile
Electric Systems
Dr. Sobahan Mia
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
KUET, Khulna
 Automotive Electrical System
The automobile electrical system does several jobs.
It produces electric energy in the alternator.
It stores electric energy in chemical form in the battery.
It delivers electric energy from above sources on demand to
any other electrical component in the vehicle.
So, Electrical system included:
(i) Battery
(ii) Starting system
(iii) Dynamo and Alternator
(iv) Conventional ignition systems
(v) Automotive electronics and electronic ignition system.
(vi) Lighting and auxiliary equipment
(vii) Automotive air-conditioning.
Automotive Electrical System
 Battery
The battery is an electro-chemical device which convert
chemical energy into electrical energy.
The amount of electricity it can produce is limited.
As the chemicals in the battery are depleted, the battery runs
down and is discharged.
It can be recharged by supplying it with electric current from
the vehicle alternator or from a battery charger.
The depleted chemicals are restored to their original condition
as the battery becomes recharged.
 Battery
Purpose of Battery
The battery is a storage of energy. It gets electrical energy
from the dynamo. This electrical energy is converted into
chemical energy and stored in the battery. This energy can
be made available at any time. When the engine is not
running, the battery supplies this energy in the form of an
electrical current to the starter, ignition system and lighting
system.
Types of Battery
(i) Lead-acid battery
(ii) Alkaline battery Nickel-iron battery and Nickel-
cadmium battery
Automobile Battery
 Lead-Acid Battery
Most batteries are lead-acid battery. There are a few cells in this
battery. Each cell contains lead plates.
The negative plate is spongy lead. It is grey in colour. The
positive plate is lead per oxide (PbO2) which is brown in colour.
Positive terminal connects all the positive plates while negative
terminal connects all the negative plate.
These plates are kept immersed in dilute sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
act as electrolyte. There are separators to keep the positive and
negative plates apart.
 Lead-Acid Battery
Positive Plate: PbO2 + H2SO4 = PbSO4 + H2O
Negative Plate: Pb + SO4 = PbSO4

The discharged battery needs to be charged.

During Charging:
Positive plate: PbSO4 + H2O = PbO2 + H2SO4
Negative Plate: PbSO4 + 2H = Pb + H2SO4
 Charging and Discharging of Battery

Battery Testing:
a) Is in good condition; b) Needs recharging; c) Is defective and should be
discarded.
* Checking specific gravity of electrolyte by Hydrometer.
* Open circuit voltage test.
 Battery Troubles
Overcharging and undercharging are two main causes of battery troubles.
Overcharging:
-Vent-cap battery requires frequent addition of water.
- Overcharging damages the plates and shortens battery life.
- Overcharging causes excess heat that can buckle and crumble the
plates.
- High voltage that causes overcharging can also damage other electrical
and electronic components.
- High current may also burn out the filaments in light bulb.

Undercharging: Possible causes included

- Charging-system malfunction.
- Defective connections in charging system.
- Excessive load demands on battery.
- Self discharge resulting from battery sitting idle for long periods.
- Excessive key-off current drain.
 Alkaline Type Battery
Alkaline type batteries are used in a few automobile.
Advantage:
1. The alkaline type battery has a longer life compared to the lead-acid
battery.
2. It is lighter in weight than the lead-acid battery.
3. It is much stronger than the lead-acid battery, it can withstand severe
shocks or vibrations.
Due to high initial cost and higher internal resistance, this battery is not
widely used in automobile. However, this battery is used in few
commercial vehicles and in motor cycles.
Two types of alkaline batteries:
(i) Nickel-iron battery: Positive- nickel per oxide, Negative- Phospheric
type steel tubes, Electrolyte-Potassium hydroxide in water.
(ii) Nickel-cadmium battery : Neg- Cadmium oxide.
 Staring System
To start the automobile engine, the crankshaft must turn fast
enough for air-fuel mixture to enter the cylinders. An electric
starter or starting motor does this job. It converts electrical
energy from the battery into mechanical energy that rotates the
crankshaft.
Starting Motor Construction and Operation:
The starting motor has two basic parts an armature and a
field-frame assembly.
Overrunning Clutch:
The staring motor has an overrunning clutch that transmits
torque in one direction and turns freely in the other direction.
 Staring System
Starting Motor Construction and Operation:
The starting motor has two basic parts an armature and a
field-frame assembly.

Overrunning Clutch:
The staring motor has an overrunning clutch that transmits
torque in one direction and turns freely in the other direction.
When the armature turns, the clutch locks and transmits
cranking torque to the ring gear. As soon as the engine starts, it
spins the pinion faster than the armature is turning.
Starting system
 Charging System
Purpose of Charging System
1. Restores to the battery the charge removed to crank the engine.
2. Handles the load of the ignition, light, radio, and other electrical and
electronic equipment while the engine is running.
The charging system includes the alternator with regulator, battery and
connecting wires.

The Battery is a storage of direct current (dc). It should always be kept

in a charged condition. This is made possible either by dynamo or an
alternator.
The dynamo is run by the engine crank shaft. This supplies direct
current to the battery.
The alternator, which is used in most of the modern cars and heavy
vehicles, supplies alternating current (ac) which is converted to dc by
diode rectifiers, voltage regulator and transistor type regulator.
 Alternator
The alternator converts mechanical energy from the engine into
electrical energy (ac). It usually mounts on the side of the engine.
The engine crankshaft pulley drives the alternator through a belt at
two to three times crankshaft speed. A regulator usually on or in the
alternator, prevents the alternator from producing excessive voltage.
Some manufacturers call the alternator a generator or ac generator.

1. At idling speeds, the alternator produces substantial current whereas

a dynamo does not produce any current at these speed.
2. The weight of the alternator is less than the weight of the dynamo
for the same current output.
3. With the alternator there is no necessity for a cut out unit. In
dynamo, such a unit is necessary.
Dynamo
Alternator
Alternator
Hybrid Car