What is a "dynamic field" and
 

how does it work?

My alt was has a "DF" connection, and my new regulator from Pelican has a "DF" connection...but how does it work?

thanks

John,

There are many, many detailed descriptions of this in the archives, if you search under "dynamo field" you will pull up dozens. But for a quick answer, DF stands for "dynamo field" and it is the wire through which current travels to induce a magnetic field in the alternator's rotor (the part that spins). The magnetic field thus created induces an alternating electrical current in the alternator's stator (the part that doesn't move). This alternating current is rectified by the alternator diodes into a direct current which charges the battery.

Here's how it works (I never get tired of typing this). You turn the ignition switch on. Current flows out of the battery through the switch into the red wire with black stripe into the warning lamp bulb holder (lighting the bulb in the process) out of the bulb holder down the blue wire, connects to the voltage regulator then to pin #11 on the 14-pin connector and over to the engine to the alternator D+/61 terminal. Current flows from the D+ terminal through the rotor to ground, energizing the rotor. You start the engine and the rotor induces a current in the stator which is rectified by the main diodes and sent to the battery, and also gets sent through the isolation diodes back to the voltage regulator, which compares the output voltage to its set-point and varies the DF voltage to control the alternator's output.

More? http://www.ratwell.com/technical/ChargingSystem.html

John,
Thanks for the detailed explanation..."Dynamo" vs "Dynamic" explains my loss at search results...oh yeah, and can't search "DF" not enough characters!

great link too as I'm starting a 'painless' install today. I've done them before, so I know the 'painless' thing is a joke...every vehicle kit and vehicle gets its own set of troubleshooting!

thanks again, understand now.

John Cramer,
Excellent description, clear, concise. You should be writing this stuff for a living.
Thanks,