Chevrolet V20 Distributor Brush

The charging system has been required as long as we have had a need for an electrical system and from research it’s been since the requirement of horns in motor vehicle in the early 1900’s. An alternator is a voltage generator that uses mechanical energy to rotate a set of magnets within a field of windings called a stator. The alternating current (AC) voltage created by the spinning magnetic field is converted into a usable direct current (DC) voltage with a rectifier and then regulated by a voltage regulator so that the voltage level in the electrical system stays within a specific operating range. The alternator provides all the voltage needed to operate a vehicle, the battery is only used as a reserve for heavier load conditions, as a voltage source for the engine starting system, and to supply a small amount of voltage to the electromagnets in the alternator which boosts the magnetic field in the alternator and increases voltage output.

The charging system has been required as long as we have had a need for an electrical system and from research it’s been since the requirement of horns in motor vehicle in the early 1900’s. An alternator is a voltage generator that uses mechanical energy to rotate a set of magnets within a field of windings called a stator. The alternating current (AC) voltage created by the spinning magnetic field is converted into a usable direct current (DC) voltage with a rectifier and then regulated by a voltage regulator so that the voltage level in the electrical system stays within a specific operating range. The alternator provides all the voltage needed to operate a vehicle, the battery is only used as a reserve for heavier load conditions, as a voltage source for the engine starting system, and to supply a small amount of voltage to the electromagnets in the alternator which boosts the magnetic field in the alternator and increases voltage output.

The distributor is just one piece of this type of ignition system which is typically driven by the engine’s camshaft. The distributor is the device that delivers the ignition spark to the spark plugs at a precise time, and spark timing is critical. Any wear or component out of place in this type of system will result in failure. Within the distributor and mounted to it are many individual pieces which allow the distributor and system to be maintained and repaired to keep it in top working order.