EDGE-CUTTING 8J8176 - Caterpillar

The electrical system is a 24 VDC system. The load rating of the system is 15 amp. The electrical system has two separate circuits. The circuits are the charging circuit and the starting circuit. Some of the electrical system components are used in more than one circuit. The battery, the circuit breaker, the cables, and the battery wires are common in each of the circuits.The charging circuit is in operation when the engine is running. An alternator makes electricity for the charging circuit. A voltage regulator in the circuit controls the electrical output in order to keep the battery at full charge.The starting circuit is in operation only when the start switch is activated.Grounding Practices
Proper grounding is necessary for optimum engine performance and reliability. Improper grounding will result in uncontrolled electrical circuit paths and in unreliable electrical circuit paths.Uncontrolled electrical circuit paths can result in damage to main bearings, to crankshaft bearing journal surfaces, and to aluminum components. Uncontrolled electrical circuit paths can also cause electrical activity that may degrade the engine electronics and communications.Ensure that all grounds are secure and free of corrosion.The engine alternator must be grounded to the negative "-" battery terminal with a wire that is adequate to carry the full charging current of the alternator.For the starting motor, do not attach the battery negative terminal to the engine block.Ground the engine block with a ground strap that is furnished by the customer. Connect this ground strap to the ground plane.Use a separate ground strap to ground the negative "-" battery terminal for the control system to the ground plane.If rubber couplings are used to connect the steel piping of the cooling system and the radiator, the piping and the radiator can be electrically isolated. Ensure that the piping and the radiator are continuously grounded to the engine. Use ground straps that bypass the rubber couplings.
This engine is equipped with a 24 volt starting system. Use only equal voltage for boost starting. The use of a welder or higher voltage will damage the electrical system.
Always disconnect the power when you are working on the engine's electronics.Charging System Components
Never operate the alternator without the battery in the circuit. Making or breaking an alternator connection with heavy load on the circuit can cause damage to the regulator.
Alternator
Illustration 1 g00285111
Alternator components (typical example)
(1) Regulator
(2) Roller bearing
(3) Stator winding
(4) Ball bearing
(5) Rectifier bridge
(6) Field winding
(7) Rotor assembly
(8) Fan The alternator is driven by a belt from an auxiliary drive at the front right corner of the engine. This alternator is a three-phase, self-rectifying charging unit. Regulator (1) is part of the alternator.This alternator design has no need for slip rings or brushes, and the only part that moves is rotor assembly (7). All conductors that carry current are stationary. The conductors are field winding (6), stator windings (3), six rectifying diodes, and the regulator circuit components.Rotor assembly (7) has many magnetic poles. Air space is between the opposite poles.The poles have residual magnetism that produces a small amount of