An alternator is a type of electric generator used in modern automobiles to charge the battery and to power the electrical system when its engine is running.
48-612: The Fiat 126 (Type 126) is a four-passenger, rear-engine , city car manufactured and marketed by Fiat over a twenty-eight year production run from 1972 until 2000, over a single generation. Introduced by Fiat in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show , the 126 replaced the Fiat 500 , using major elements from its design. A subsequent iteration, marketed as the 126 Bis , used a horizontally oriented, water-cooled engine, and featured
96-465: A cultural icon , earning the nickname Maluch , meaning "The Little One" or "Toddler", a name that eventually became official in 1997, when 'Maluch' started appearing, badged on the rear of the car. In early 2020, the 28-year production run of the Fiat 126 was counted as the twenty-sixth most long-lived single-generation car in history by Autocar magazine. The 126 shared its wheelbase and much of
144-517: A polyphase winding is used and the pole-pieces of the rotor are shaped (claw-pole). Automotive alternators are usually belt -driven at 2–3 times crankshaft speed, speeds that could cause a commutator to fly apart in a generator. The alternator runs at various RPM (which varies the frequency) since it is driven by the engine. This is not a problem because the alternating current is rectified to direct current . Alternator regulators are also simpler than those for generators. Generator regulators require
192-451: A rear-engine design layout places the engine at the rear of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the engine itself is behind the rear axle. This is not to be confused with the center of gravity of the whole vehicle, as an imbalance of such proportions would make it impossible to keep the front wheels on the ground. Rear-engined vehicles almost always have a rear-wheel drive car layout , but some are four wheel drive . This layout has
240-399: A voltage regulator which operates by modulating the small field current to produce a constant voltage at the battery terminals. Early designs (c.1960s–1970s) used a discrete device mounted elsewhere in the vehicle. Intermediate designs (c.1970s–1990s) incorporated the voltage regulator into the alternator housing. Modern designs do away with the voltage regulator altogether; voltage regulation
288-435: A 3 phase alternator may be connected using either the delta or star ( wye ) connection regime set-up. Brushless versions of these type alternators are also common in larger machinery such as highway trucks and earthmoving machinery. With two oversized shaft bearings as the only wearing parts, these can provide extremely long and reliable service, even exceeding the engine overhaul intervals. Automotive alternators require
336-471: A battery nor did it encourage the use of one before it introduced an electric starter in 1919. The owner would have to install the battery themselves and charge it externally.) Starting in the 1919 model year, Ford upgraded the Model T to include an electric starter, which was standard for some models and optional for others. This starter installation also included a battery, charged by a conventional dynamo, and
384-448: A colloquial term for "small child") because of its fiberglass bubble-shaped cargo area; an off-road version propelled by caterpillar tracks and a front-wheel drive, front-engined model, with a longer front end and a flat cargo area in the rear where the original 126 had its engine. The rear of this prototype was similar to the 126 Bis which also had a rear hatch for accessing a cargo space created by mounting its flat water-cooled engine under
432-443: A cough when it is started). In Albanian it is known as Kikirez , meaning a "little rooster". In Serbian , Croatian and Bosnian it is known as Peglica (meaning "little iron ")., or, occasionally, as "klompa" (meaning " clog ") In Slovene the 126 is also called Bolha (" flea "), Piči-poki (loosely translated as "fast-and-loud") or Kalimero on Slovenian coast after a cartoon character Calimero . In Hungarian , it
480-474: A cutout relay to isolate the output coils (the armature) from the battery at low speed; that isolation is provided by the alternator rectifier diodes. Also, most generator regulators include a current limiter; alternators are inherently current-limited. The claw pole design produces an AC waveform that is more efficiently rectified than a sine wave. Despite their names, both 'DC generators' (or 'dynamos') and 'alternators' initially produce alternating current. In
528-459: A dense central band where the iron core and copper windings are tightly packed, and end bands where the windings are more exposed for better heat transfer. The closer core spacing from the rotor improves magnetic efficiency. The smaller, enclosed fans produce less noise, particularly at higher machine speeds. Alternators can also be water-cooled in cars. Larger vehicles may have field coil alternators similar to larger machines. The windings of
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#1732765395083576-472: A few years to buy a car. The authorities could also give a coupon to purchase a car based on merit or relationship. In Polish it is called Maluch , which literally means "small one" or toddler (and was an official name since 1997), as well as mały Fiat ("small Fiat"), in contrast to Fiat 125p , called duży Fiat ("big Fiat"). In some regions, it is also called Kaszlak , literally "cougher" (derived from kaszel , " cough ", as its engine's sound resembles
624-519: A rear hatchback with additional cargo space. The majority of 126s (some 3.3 million) were manufactured in Tychy and Bielsko-Biała plants, Poland and were marketed as the Polski Fiat 126p in many markets. Fiat stopped marketing the 126 in 1993 in favor of its new front-engined Cinquecento . Total production reached approximately 4.7 million units. In Poland, the car became a people's car, and
672-451: A so-called 'DC generator', this AC current is generated in the rotating armature, and then converted to DC by the commutator and brushes. In an 'alternator', the AC current is generated in the stationary stator, and then is converted to DC by the rectifiers (diodes). Typical passenger vehicle and light truck alternators use Lundahl or 'claw-pole' field construction. This uses a shaped iron core on
720-420: Is above 96%. Large AC generators used in power stations run at carefully controlled speeds and have no constraints on size or weight. They have very high efficiencies as high as 98%. Hybrid electric vehicles replace the separate alternator and starter motor with one or more combined motor/generator(s) that start the internal combustion engine, provide some or all of the mechanical power to the wheels, and charge
768-695: Is known as kispolszki ("Little Polish", while the 125p is the nagypolszki , meaning "Big Polish"), kispolák ("Little Pole ") or kisp ó k ("Little spider"); also, the car was nicknamed egérkamion , meaning "mouse truck". In German , the Fiat 126 was known as the Bambino , the Italian word for child. In Cuban Spanish it is known as the "Polqi" or "Polaquito", meaning "Little Pole " or "Little Polish man", and in Chilean Spanish as "Bototo". Rear-engine design In automobile design ,
816-665: Is limited by fan cooling loss, bearing loss, iron loss, copper loss, and the voltage drop in the diode bridges. Efficiency reduces dramatically at high speeds mainly due to fan resistance. At medium speeds efficiency of today's alternators is 70–80%. This betters very small high-performance permanent magnet alternators, such as those used for bicycle lighting systems, which achieve an efficiency around 60%. Larger permanent magnet electric machines (that can operate as motors or alternators) can achieve today much higher efficiencies. Pellegrino et al., for instance, propose not particularly expensive designs that show ample regions in which efficiency
864-520: Is now a function of the engine control unit (ECU). The field current is much smaller than the output current of the alternator; for example, a 70 A alternator may need only 2-3 A of field current. The field current is supplied to the rotor windings by slip rings. The low current and relatively smooth slip rings ensure greater reliability and longer life than that obtained by a DC generator with its commutator and higher current being passed through its brushes. The field windings are supplied with power from
912-534: The Fiat Cinquecento ; this version was named 126 EL. The 126 ELX introduced a catalytic converter. In 1987, the 126 BIS began production, featuring a water-cooled 704 cc engine of Polish construction. However, the original model continued to be produced for the Polish market. BIS used some parts from the Fiat Cinquecento . The factory battery in 126p had a 35- amp hour capacity, which, combined with
960-408: The 126 received a facelift, giving it plastic bumpers (for all versions) and a new dashboard. This model was named the Fiat 126p FL. In 1985, a single rear fog light and reversing light (on opposite sides) were added to the standard plastic bumpers; an electronic ignition system and alternator replaced the undersized generator around 1987. In 1994, the 126p received another facelift and some parts from
1008-546: The 1960s, automobiles used DC dynamo generators with commutators . As silicon-diode rectifiers became widely available and affordable, the alternator gradually replaced the dynamo. This was encouraged by the increasing electrical power required for cars in this period, with increasing loads from larger headlamps, electric wipers, heated rear windows , and other accessories. The modern type of vehicle alternators were first used in military applications during World War II , to power radio equipment on specialist vehicles. After
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#17327653950831056-503: The BIS version that was made until 1991. The 126 BIS gained a hatchback to access an additional cargo space on the rear, which was freed by replacing the air-cooled engine with the water-cooled 704 cc 26 hp (19 kW) flat-twin. The 126 was manufactured at Fiat's Cassino and Termini Imerese plants until 1979, with an overall production of 1,352,912 manufactured in Italy. The 126
1104-459: The PF 126p was intended to be the first real, popular, and affordable car to provide mobility for ordinary families. The license was bought after the rise to power of a new PZPR leader, Edward Gierek , who wanted to gain popularity by increasing consumer spending after the austerity period under Władysław Gomułka . Even though it was a tiny city car , it was the only choice for most families, filling
1152-555: The advent of the Smart Fortwo . For a brief period in the early 1990s, a German company called POP also offered convertible versions of the 126 BIS. Two models were offered: a lesser equipped one called the "POP 650" and a more luxurious model called the "POP 2000". In Poland , the car was produced under license by Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych (FSM) (En: Small-Displacement Car Factory) in Bielsko-Biała and Tychy under
1200-454: The battery via the ignition switch and regulator. A parallel circuit supplies the "charge" warning indicator and is earthed via the regulator (which is why the indicator is on when the ignition is on but the engine is not running). Once the engine is running and the alternator is generating power, a diode feeds the field current from the alternator main output equalizing the voltage across the warning indicator which goes off. The wire supplying
1248-536: The brand Polski Fiat 126p (literally in English: Polish Fiat 126p ) between 1973 and 2000. Due to its relatively low price, it was prevalent in Poland and was arguably the most common Polish car in the 1980s. Its tiny size gave it the nickname maluch ("the small one", "small child", pronounced [ˈmalux] ). The nickname became so popular that in 1997, it was accepted by the manufacturer as
1296-536: The car's official name. At first, it was almost identical to the basic model: differences included a higher chassis, a modified grille on the back, and the front indicator lenses that were clear white in Italy, but orange in other markets. The letter "p" was added to its name to distinguish it from the original Italian car. Throughout the 1980s, the 126p was continuously modified. First, it received upgraded brakes and new wheels from Italian Fiat. Hazard warning lights were added to meet new lighting requirements. In 1984,
1344-480: The coils to make good sparks. The Model T incorporated its magneto into the engine flywheel. The first Model Ts used the magneto solely for the trembler coil ignition. Beginning with the 1915 model year, Ford added electric headlights, also powered by the magneto. The magneto circuit was strictly AC, with no battery included. (There was a switch on the ignition coils to use a battery instead, which could be helpful when starting in cold weather, but Ford neither provided
1392-501: The communist period ( Polish People's Republic , up to 1989). During the absolute rule of the PZPR , a private car was considered a luxury item due to limited availability and low salaries. In 1971, there were only 556,000 passenger cars in Poland. In a top-down planned economy , decisions on whether a state-owned factory could produce a car were taken on political and not just economic grounds. The authorities themselves initially did not find
1440-400: The compact alternator layout. This is electrically and magnetically similar, but has improved air cooling. Better cooling permits more power from a smaller machine. The casing has distinctive radial vent slots at each end and now encloses the fan. Two fans are used, one at each end, and the airflow is semi-radial, entering axially and leaving radially outwards. The stator windings now consist of
1488-487: The country. The government initially bought 10,000, mainly used as taxis, but later, the 126p became available for private buyers - a rarity in the country then. In the 1980s, it was one of the best-selling cars in China, selling around 30,000 units per year. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, several experimental prototypes were developed in Poland. A cargo version was designed in 1974 called "Bombel" (literally "bubble", but also
Fiat 126 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1536-439: The field current is often referred to as the "exciter" wire. The drawback of this arrangement is that if the warning lamp burns out or the "exciter" wire is disconnected, no current reaches the field windings and the alternator will not generate power. Some warning indicator circuits are equipped with a resistor in parallel with the lamp that permit excitation current to flow if the warning lamp burns out. The driver should check that
1584-489: The floor. There was also an attempt at installing a small diesel engine (due to gasoline rationing) in the classic 126p body. It is also a popular platform for electric motor and motorcycle engine swaps. The car's global production was 4,673,655 units: 1,352,912 in Italy, 2,069 in Austria by Fiat-Steyr, and 3,318,674 in Poland. The PF 126p has a special meaning for Poles, and its story is connected to Polish politics during
1632-553: The following features: This layout was once popular in small, inexpensive cars and light commercial vehicles. Today most car makers have abandoned the layout although it does continue in some expensive cars, like the Porsche 911 . It is also used in some racing car applications, low-floor buses , some Type-D school buses , and microcars such as the Smart Fortwo . Some electric cars feature both rear and front motors, to drive all four wheels. Alternator (automotive) Until
1680-524: The idea of private cars attractive. The first relatively cheap Polish car was the Syrena , but it needed to be updated, and its production was low. Limited numbers of cars were also imported from other Eastern Bloc countries. It was challenging to buy a Western car because the Polish złoty , like other currencies in communist states, was not convertible to Western funds, and the country had no free market. Thus,
1728-426: The lights were now powered by the battery. However, the flywheel magneto still powered the ignition, and since models without the starter had no battery, they continued to use magneto-powered lights. Alternators have several advantages over direct-current generators ( dynamos ). Alternators are: A set of rectifiers ( diode bridge ) is required to convert AC to DC . To provide direct current with low ripple ,
1776-448: The mechanical underpinnings and layout with the Fiat 500, featuring a revised, slightly larger bodyshell designed by Sergio Sartorelli with improved safety and interior space. The added interior space resulted from moving the starter from the top of the engine bellhousing to the side which permitted shifting the bulkhead/rear seat rearward approximately 10 cm, and the lengthening of the roof for rear-seat headroom. The engine capacity
1824-563: The name FSM Niki . During that period, it was Australia's cheapest car. There was a convertible version developed for the Australian market. It was also successful in Cuba where it was one of the best-selling cars of its time and an estimated 10,000 are still registered today. The 126p also has a history in China : In the early 1980s, it became one of the first passenger cars to be imported to
1872-595: The popularity of the 500 in Western Europe, as the rear-engined layout was displaced by better packaging and handling front-engine, front-wheel drive cars. The 126 became one of the last and longest-production rear-engine small cars manufactured in Europe, survived only by the VW Beetle whose production lasted until 1978 (2003, globally). The 126 was also the last rear-engine small car manufactured in Europe until
1920-399: The role of a family car . During holidays, it was common to see families of four driving PF-126s abroad with huge suitcases on a roof rack ; sightings of PF-126s towing a small Niewiadów N126 caravan especially designed for the PF 126 were also occasionally reported. PF 126p production, however, was not sufficient and the PF 126p was on sale with a waiting list. Usually, families had to wait
1968-424: The rotor to produce a multi-pole field from a single coil winding. The poles of the rotor look like fingers of two hands interlocked with each other. The coil is mounted axially inside this and field current is supplied by slip rings and carbon brushes. These alternators have their field and stator windings cooled by axial airflow, produced by an external fan attached to the drive belt pulley. Modern vehicles now use
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2016-593: The undersized generator, the car had a fully charged battery only if driven for an extended time. Upgrading a 45-amp hour battery from the Fiat 125p (1.5 Litre engine) improved the cold start reliability. The 126p was exported to many Eastern Bloc countries, and for several years, it was one of the most popular cars in Poland and in Hungary as well. It also found a minor market in Australia between 1989 and 1992 under
2064-686: The voltage supplied by the alternator. Older automobiles with minimal lighting may have had an alternator capable of producing only 30 amperes . Typical passenger car and light truck alternators are rated around 50–70 A, though higher ratings are becoming more common, especially as there is more load on the vehicle's electrical system with air conditioning , electric power steering and other electrical systems. Very large alternators used on buses, heavy equipment or emergency vehicles may produce 300 A. Semi-trucks usually have alternators which output 140 A. Very large alternators may be water-cooled or oil-cooled. Efficiency of automotive alternators
2112-684: The war, other vehicles with high electrical demands — such as ambulances and radio taxis — could also be fitted with optional alternators. Alternators were first introduced as standard equipment on a production car by the Chrysler Corporation on the Valiant in 1960, several years ahead of Ford and General Motors . Some early automobiles, like the Ford Model T , used a different sort of charging system: an engine-driven magneto which generated low-voltage alternating current that
2160-498: The warning indicator is on when the engine is stopped; otherwise, there might not be any indication of a failure of the belt which may also drive the cooling water pump . Some alternators will self-excite when the engine reaches a certain speed. In recent years, alternator regulators are linked to the vehicle's computer system and various factors including air temperature obtained from the intake air temperature sensor, battery temperature sensor and engine load are evaluated in adjusting
2208-480: Was also manufactured under license by Zastava in Yugoslavia . In Austria , it was briefly assembled by Steyr Puch as a successor to the successful Puch 500 , with the assembly of 2,069 cars through 1975. In Greece , there was an attempt to produce a small car named DIM whose technical layout was primarily based on the 126, but only ten were produced before the project was abandoned. The 126 did not achieve
2256-399: Was increased from 594 cc to 652 cc at the end of 1977 when the cylinder bore was increased from 73.5 to 77 mm. Claimed power output was unchanged at 23 hp (17 kW), but torque was increased from 39 N⋅m (29 lb⋅ft) to 43 newton-metres (32 lb⋅ft). The 594 cc engines were still available in early 1983 production. A subsequent change in 1987 by FSM was
2304-434: Was supplied to trembler coils , which provided the high voltage needed to generate ignition sparks. (This was different from a true ignition magneto , which generates high voltage directly.) Since such a magneto system only depended on the engine's motion to generate current, it could even be used when starting a manually cranked engine, provided the crank was pulled sharply, so that the magneto would produce enough current for
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