Electrical components...What do they do?

[fishndvm]

Hello All,<br /> I read this forum like my life depended on it, and it's just great. I learn something every time. There are several electrical components that are referred to frequently, and I was just wondering what they are, what they do, and if they are found in all outboards, large and small. I refer to rectifiers, stators, triggers, and tilt switches. I only own small hp engines, and to date have never had to concern myself with these parts, if they exist in small engines. They are all pull starts. Can anyone help me out here, or refer me to a reference where I can read what they are and what they do? Thanks a million.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Electrical components...What do they do?

fishn - Sounds like you got that natural curiosity about what makes things tick. Two suggestions - first hit your local library and go to the reference section. They should have a slug of manualy for a bunch of different types of motors that are a good resource to learn from. Second if you have the time and are so inclined, see if there is a vocational tech school in your area that offers a course in outboard repair. They are fun and you can learn a lot.<br /><br />And for a third suggestion - get friendly with the search function at the top of the page.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Electrical components...What do they do?

Fishndvm.... Now, pay attention! (grin)<br /><br />Rectifiers: Converts AC voltage to DC voltage.<br /><br />Stators: Engine models prior to 1973, this item was the alternator windings. This also applied to engine models after 1973 without solid state ignition. On engines after 1973 that did have solid state ignition, depending on exactly what model it was/is, the sattor would be a dual purpose component.... the beginning of the ignition system and also the alternator.<br /><br />Triggers, also know as sensors: a small electronic component attached to the timer base under the flywheel (usually) that when the center magnets of the flywheel pass by it, the magnetic flux generates approximately 1-1/2 volts which in turn sends a signal to the powerpack to fire a particular coil (that gets a little involved).<br /><br />Tilt switches: Just that.... a switch that when energized, sends voltage to the power tilt ot power tilt/trim assy to raise or lower the engine.

 

[sos]

Re: Electrical components...What do they do?

I was a little slow in posting, so I deleted my post as Joe Reeves covered the topic nicely.

 

[sparkroost]

Re: Electrical components...What do they do?

A stator generates alternating current. It varies from a positive number to a negative number. Say -15V to +15 volts. The rectifier is basically a AC to DC converter. It does this with diodes. A diode will only let the positive voltage pass through. once it's converted it needs to be regulated so that it does not exceed 14.5V(or there abouts).<br /><br />A trigger is basically a wire wrapped around a piece of metal. When power is applied to the wire it creates a magnetic field around it. When you pass a piece of metal through the field it will change the field. That field can be monitored, hence you can know specifically where the position of something is in relation to 360 degrees of rotation.<br /><br />In the early days they used points to control ignition timing. There was a cam that had however many lobes there were cylinders in some cases. As the shaft rotates the lobes push on the points, opening and closing them. After time and mechanical wear the points had to be adjusted again to a certian gap. They have done away with rotating parts like distributors, points, rotors with electronic ignition.

 

[fishndvm]

Re: Electrical components...What do they do?

Thank you all for your explanations. Just curious though, are these components common to all engines, ie, would they all be found on say a 15hp engine?