Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4
Alternators have been using linier regulators since the 1960s.
Alternators vary the exciter field current to produce only the needed current and voltage required by the vehicle electrical system.
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which linear regulators, shunt or series?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_regulator
Shunt regulators efficiency = 50-60% (constant load vs output)
Series regulators efficiency = 85-90% (reduced load per output).
I understand that you may be referring to Field regulation but I doubt all alternators have ECU to reduce field and control regulator to keep alternator at peak performance. Most of them are still simple design with constant field and shunt voltage regulator.