Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for charging a battery using an alternator driven by an engine and a voltage regulator controlling the output of the alternator comprising a control conduit that automatically controls the engine speed from idle on up to that of maximum horsepower at full throttle while simultaneously controlling the charging current to that value which minimizes charging time and maximizes battery life. The apparatus includes a load control circuit that unloads the alternator in response to a sudden increase in the load on the engine or sudden decrease in the engine speed thereby reducing the load on the engine to prevent the engine from stalling. The apparatus also includes a temperature control conduit that decreases the charging current to a predetermined value in response to the battery temperature exceeding a predetermined value indicating that the battery is almost fully charged thereby preventing gassing, and a current rate of change circuit that terminates the charging of the battery in response to the rate of the decreasing current suddenly increasing or decreasing indicating an abnormal charging condition.

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First Claim