Troubleshooting Charging Problems ALTERNATOR AND VOLTAGE
REGULATOR The alternator has a centrally rotating set of coils
powered from the field terminal. As this rotor turns, it drags a
magnetic field past the stationary coils that surround it. This
magnetic field generates alternating current within these
stationary coils, which then passes through a grid of one-way
valves (diodes) to produce the DC current useful to automotive
applications. The voltage output is governed by the amount of
current in the field circuit, and is controlled by the Voltage
Regulator. Current is fed to the battery and other power
absorbers through the large Bat terminal on the back of the
alternator. A ground connection on the alternator case completes
the electrical circuit. There is also a Stator terminal on the
alternator, but it is not used on the 427SC. The battery power
comes from a connection on the starter solenoid. Power flows
from the ignition switch, through a fuse, to the voltage
regulator. Voltage is measured from this