Fiat Bravo Quiz
Electrical system

The Alternator

In this manual: Electrical system
Dear Reader — 1Engine — 35Engine lubrication — 3Engine cooling — 10Ignition/spark plugs — 14Fuel system — 10Petrol fuel injection — 13Diesel injection system — 13Exhaust system — 7Clutch — 7Transmission / Gearshift / Automatic Transmission — 5Front Axle — 11Rear axle — 4Steering — 9Wheel alignment — 1Brake system — 22Wheels and tyres — 10Body — 34Heating — 6Electrical system — 39Lighting system — 14Instruments — 7Windscreen wiper system — 8Vehicle care / tools — 6Jump Starting / Towing the Vehicle — 3Jacking up the vehicle — 1Fiat Bravo / Brava Maintenance Schedule — 1Maintenance — 38Wiring diagrams — 5
~1min read

The Bravo/Brava is equipped with a three-phase alternator by Bosch or Marelli. Depending on model and equipment, alternators with different outputs are fitted.

The alternator is driven by the crankshaft via the drive belt. The rotor with the field winding turns inside the stationary stator winding at about twice engine speed.

The field current flows through the field winding via carbon brushes and slip rings. This creates a magnetic field.

The position of the magnetic field relative to the stator winding changes constantly as the rotor turns.

This generates three-phase current in the stator winding.

Since the battery can only be charged with direct current, the three-phase current is converted to direct current by rectifiers in the diode plate. The voltage regulator varies the charging current by switching the field current on and off according to the state of charge of the battery.

At the same time, the regulator keeps the operating voltage constant at approx. 14 volts, regardless of engine speed.

Test yourself

A quick Fiat Bravo quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.