The reason for the split switch is so that you could turn off the alternator if you had a problem with it. Alternators, generators, and voltage regulators can fail in several different ways. Some of the failure modes will cause the charging system to draw excessive current instead of supplying current which can pull down the system voltage, quickly kill your battery, and potentialy cause an electrical fire and some failure modes such as a shorted transistor in the regulator supplying the field voltage will give an overvoltage condition which will fry your electronics, cause a fire hazard, and possibly explode your battery.
In short, when you have a charging system failure you need to be able to disconnect the charging system and still be able to keep your master switch on and run off of the battery. Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com -----Original Message----- From: krnet-bounces+brian.kraut=engalt....@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-bounces+brian.kraut=engalt....@mylist.net]On Behalf Of Sal Leone Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 9:20 PM To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: KR> Question Master Switch To KRneters This is a question about the second contact in the Master Switch. I am rewiring my panel and I am adding a Starter and Starter Solenoid. Previously the Master Switch had one contact that switched the Master Solenoid to ground. However I see in old drawings that the Master Switch had two contacts, the second one to switch one output of the Alternator going to the Rectifier Regulator. Is this necessary? The only reason that I can see why it was done like this is hand propelling the engine with the Master Switch off could possibly put some damaging voltage into the Rectifier/Regulator. Also if this is necessary then I would switch in that Alternator to Rectifier lead with a relay in order to keep noise minimized to the Alternator/Rectifier area without having the noisy even though shielded lead coming to the panel. Thank You salale...@yahoo.com Sal Leone --------------------------------- The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net Post photos, introductions, and For Sale items to http://www.kr2forum.com/phpBB2/index.php please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
