The Automotive Starting and Charging Systems unit, “AV-SCS”, has been designed by EDIBON to provide theoretical and practical training in the field of electrical starting and charging systems for motor vehicles. This unit aims to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge required to understand the electrical starting system of a vehicle as well as the identification of every part of it.

For this purpose, the operating principles of a DC starter motor, ignition switch, solenoid relay, battery charging circuit, battery, and alternator, are explained in a theoretical and practical manner. In particular, an explanation of the various circuits that are energized according to the position of the ignition key of the vehicle. According to the position of this key, different situations can be studied: the first position activates the power supply of the vehicle, the second position activates the starting sequence of the vehicle (preheating) along with the correct position of the park/neutral switch, and the third position energizes the solenoid which will activate the DC starter motor.

TheDC starter motor will then move an electric motor (a combustion engine simulation). The alternator is coupled to this engine and is one of the critical parts of the electrical system of the vehicle, since it will provide power to it. Then, the student will be able to verify the correct battery charge and test the most important electrical points of the starting system of the vehicle.

The “AV-SCS” unit includes the following components:

• DC starter motor.
• Starting solenoid.
• Park/neutral position switch.
• Run/Start relay.
• Starting relay.
• Connectors.
• 12 VDC battery with accessible terminals (battery points).
• Fuse block.
• Ignition key for starting the vehicle (ignition switch).
• Protection fuse.
• Alternator.
• Electric motor for petrol engine simulation.