Alternator overvoltage protection

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gossend
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Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 7:42 pm
Car: 2004 Q45

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Does the 2004 Q45 alternator/charging system have any kind of over-voltage protection?


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Q451990
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Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
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:welcome: to NICO!

Good question... and honestly I have no idea. Maybe you could fill us in on what issue you're chasing and we could help better? Also, the factory service manual may answer your question - available at www.infinitiservicemanual.com

Good luck!

Heath

qship96
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Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2002 11:31 am
Car: 1996 Infiniti Q45

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Pretty sure every modern alternator has a "voltage regulator" built in.

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Skibane
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Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:33 pm
Car: 2000 Q45 AE 110K
Location: San Antonio, TX

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qship96 wrote:Pretty sure every modern alternator has a "voltage regulator" built in.
Yep, the regulator is designed to keep the alternator's output voltage within a safe range.

Most regulators are designed so that if they fail, they kill the alternator's output, rather than allowing it to go full-tilt. So, your engine eventually dies when the battery runs down, but nothing else gets ruined due to excessive voltage.

There is also a sense wire between the regulator and battery - The regulator uses it to measure and adjust the amount of charging voltage being applied to the battery. Most regulators are designed so that if this wire ever opens up, the maximum alternator output voltage is limited to some reasonable value, rather than going through the roof.


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