LINK AS-TRACK 5243180 - Caterpillar

The starting circuit is in operation only when the start switch is activated.The low amperage circuit and the charging circuit are both connected to the same side of the ammeter. The starting circuit connects to the opposite side of the ammeter.Grounding Practices
Proper grounding for the engine electrical systems is necessary for proper engine performance and reliability. Improper grounding will result in uncontrolled and unreliable electrical circuit paths which can result in damage to main bearings and crankshaft journals surfaces. Uncontrolled electrical circuit paths can also cause electrical noise which may degrade engine performance.To insure proper functioning of the engine electrical systems, an engine-to-frame ground strap with a direct path to the battery must be used. This may be provided by way of a starting motor, a frame to starting motor ground, or direct frame to engine ground.Ground wires/straps should be combined at ground studs dedicated for ground use only. The engine alternator must be battery (-) grounded with a wire size adequate to handle full alternator charging current.
This electrical system may be equipped with a 12 or 24 volt starting system. Use only equal voltage for boost starting. The use of a welder or higher voltage will damage the electrical system.
Charging System Components
Alternator Components (Typical Illustration)
(1) Regulator. (2) Roller bearing. (3) Stator winding. (4) Ball bearing. (5) Rectifier bridge. (6) Field winding. (7) Rotor assembly. (8) Fan.
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.
The alternator is driven by belts from the crankshaft pulley. This alternator is a three phase, self-rectifying charging unit, and the regulator is part of the alternator.This alternator design has no need for slip rings or brushes, and the only part that has movement is the rotor assembly. All conductors that carry current are stationary. The conductors are: field winding, stator windings, six rectifying diodes, and regulator circuit components.The rotor assembly has many magnetic poles like fingers with air space between each opposite pole. The poles have residual magnetism (like permanent magnets) that produce a small amount of magnet-like lines of force (magnet field) between the poles. As the rotor assembly begins to turn between the field winding and the stator windings, a small amount of alternating current (AC) is produced in the stator windings from the small magnetic lines of force made by the residual magnetism of the poles. This AC current is changed to direct current (DC) when is passed through the diodes of the rectifier bridge. Most of this current goes to charge the battery and to supply the low amperage circuit, and the remainder is sent on to the field windings. The DC current flow through the field windings (wires around and iron core) now increases the strength of the magnetic lines of force. These stronger lines of force now increase the amount of AC current produced in the stator windings. The increased speed of the rotor assembly also increases the