Your Cars Electrical System
When the automotive industry was in its infancy, it used
electricity only to ignite the fuel inside the engine. By the
late 1920's, the electric starter replaced the hand crank,
electric headlights made acetylene lamps obsolete and the
braying of the electric horn drowned out the squeak of the
hand-squeezed air horn. Today, an automobile requires an
elaborate electrical system of circuits just to produce, store,
and distribute all the electricity it requires simply for
everyday operation. The first major component in the electrical
system is the battery. The battery is used to store power for
starting, and for running auxiliary devices such as clocks,
radios and alarms when the engine is off. The next major
component is the starter motor, which is used to start the
engine. The third component is a charging device powered by the
engine, known as the alternator. It powers the electrical system
when the car is running, and restores the charge within the
battery. With these basic components, the car maintains its
supply of electricity. A device called the voltage regulator
keeps the power level stabilized, and the fuse box keeps minor
problems from becoming major ones. Many different auxiliary
electrical devices are used in modern cars, such as: radios,
cellular phones, rear window defrosters and electric door locks,
as well as a vast array of motors powering everything from the
moon roof on down. The above information is directly from the
Auto Insight program, which you can buy online from
AutoEducation.com. Common Problems: