General description of the car's electrical equipment (Mitsubishi Colt 4)

The main components of a 12-volt electrical system with a grounded negative are a 12-volt battery, a generator (driven by the crankshaft pulley), and a starter.

The battery supplies current to the ignition system, lighting devices and other electrical consumers and has a reserve capacity for cases when the consumed current exceeds the current coming from the generator.

The generator has its own regulator, which provides high output power if the battery is weakly charged and the current consumption is high, and low output power if the battery is fully charged and the current consumption is low.

When connecting electrical components to the vehicle's on-board network with a grounded "minus", it is very important to connect them correctly if they contain silicon diodes or transistors, since if connected incorrectly, these components may fail. This applies to radios, tape recorders, electronic ignition systems, electronic tachometers, electronic corrosion protection devices, etc. - all of them must be connected in the correct polarity.

It is important to know that the positive battery cable must always be disconnected if the battery is being charged in the vehicle. If welding is being done using electric welding, the alternator must also be disconnected to avoid serious damage. Always check that the battery terminals are properly connected to the appropriate wires. When working with electrical components, it is recommended to disconnect the negative battery cable.