Introduction
Earth returns and insulated return systems, 6, 12, and 24-volt systems. Positive & negative
earth systems, Fusing of circuits, relays, switches, low and high voltage automotive cables,
wiring diagram for typical automotive wiring systems, maintenance and servicing.
Batteries
Principles of lead acid cells and their characteristics - construction and working of lead acid
battery, types of batteries, testing of batteries, effect of temperature on: capacity and voltage,
battery capacity, voltage, efficiency, charging of batteries, sulphation and desulphation,
maintenance and servicing, Battery failures & checking, Maintenance free Batteries, High
energy and power density batteries for electric vehicles.
Charging system
Principle of generation of direct current. Shunt generator characteristics. Armature reaction.
Third brush regulation. Cut-out. Voltage & current regulators, compensated voltage regulator.
Alternators - principle, constructional and working aspects, bridge rectifiers. Principle of
Magneto, Flywheel Magneto, Maintenance and servicing. Trouble shooting in charging systems.
Starting system
Condition at Starting – starting torque and power requirements, behavior of starter during
starting. Series motor and its characteristics. Principle & construction of starter motor. Working
of different starter drive units, care & maintenance of starter motor. Starter switches. Safety
mechanism. Maintenance, servicing and trouble shooting.
Ignition system
Types, construction & working of battery & coil and magneto ignition systems. Relative merits,
Ballast Resistor, Ignition coil, Distributor, Contact breaker Point, centrifugal and vacuum
advance mechanisms, Limitations of conventional ignition systems, Transistorized Ignition
systems, Spark plugs - construction, different types, plug fouling, maintenance, servicing and
fault diagnosis, Electronic Ignition system. Programmed ignition, distributor less ignition.
Lighting system
Principle of automobile illumination, headlamp construction and wiring, reflectors – types,
signaling devicesflashers, stop lights, fog lamps, auxiliary lighting-engine, passenger, reading
lamp. Regn-plate lamps. Automatic illumination system. Head light levelling devices. Study of a
modern headlight system with improved night vision.
Electrical Equipment and Accessories
Oil pressure gauge, fuel level gauge, engine temperature gauge, electrical fuel pump,
speedometer, odometer, trip meter, engine rpm meter, Headlamp & Windshield washer and
wiper, heaters and defrosters, horns, stereo/radio, power antennae. Central locking, power
window winding. Sun/Moon Roof. Motorized rear view mirrors, reverse warning, Bumper
collision warning. Other accessories in modern vehicles.
Fuel Cells
Thermodynamic aspects; types-hydrogen and methanol, power rating and performance.
Various components and working of fuel cell, Heat dissipation.
Drive Motors and controllers:
Drive arrangements in Hybrid and Electric vehicles. Drive motors: types and construction.
Controlling of motor operations. Motor-generator in hybrid vehicles and its controls.