Make this Voltage Stabilizer Circuit for Your Car

A car electrical is probably more volatile than our house electrical,

simply because it is generated from a source called alternator whose
output considerably varies with the speed of the vehicle. It means if
you are driving your car with sudden changes in its speed or if you are
often applying brakes, would consequently generate varying voltages
from the alternator outputs. Since nowadays our car and other vehicle
interiors heavily involve sophisticated electronic gadgets, an unstable
voltage conditions can cause serious effects on their performance and
life. A simple voltage stabilizer circuit for carsexplained here may
simply relieve us from all the anxiety.
The circuit idea was requested by Mr.Haziq, let's know more about the
making of the proposed circuit (designed by me for the application).
Today we have some wonderful ICs at our disposal which are
specifically designed for voltage regulation applications.
The LM317 and the LM338 are a couple of them which are versatile
with their voltage regulation functions, I have discussed them
elaborately in some my earlier posts.
The LM317 can handle up to 1.5 Amps while its big brother the LM338
can hold not more than 5 Amps.
However these values are quite meager when compared to the huge
asks in automobiles.
By suitably modifying the configurations, the IC can be made to
regulate any desired levels of currents though.
In the proposed car voltage stabilizer circuit we incorporate the IC
LM317 and modify its standard design such that it enables the car
electrical with sufficient power and yet restricts it from all possible
dangers like overloads, over current, fluctuating voltages and short
circuits, providing an ideal voltage conditions for the vehicle interiors.
The circuit diagram shows a rather simple configuration where the IC
317 has been wired in its standard voltage regulator mode.
R1 limits the surge current, while R2 decides the triggering voltage to

T1, if the current consumption crosses the 1.5 amp mark, T1 conducts
and assists the IC by sharing the excess current through it.
P1 is set for achieving around 13 volts across C3.
R5 monitors over load conditions and short circuits, if the current
crosses beyond 12 amps, sufficient current develops across R5 to
trigger T2, which instantly switches OFF the IC so that the output
voltage drops and restricts the current below 12 amps.
Ideal Specifications:
Constant voltage = 13 volts
Current Limit = 12 Amp
Overload protection = above 12 amp cut OFF
Thermal protection (if the transistor and IC are mounted on the same
heatsink with mica isolation)
Short circuit protection (fire hazard protection)

Parts List
R1 = 0.1 Ohms, 100 watts, made from 1mm iron wire.
R2 = 2 Ohms, 1 watt,

R3 = 120 Ohms, 1/4watts,

R4 = 0.1 Ohms, 20 watts, as explained for R1 (this resistor is actually
not required, may be replaced with a wire short.)
R5 = 0.05Ohms, 20 watts, make as R1
T1 = MJ2955 mounted on big finned type heatsink
T2 = BC547,
C1 = 10,000uF, 35V
C2 = 1uF/50V
C3 = 100uF/25V
P1 = 4k7 preset,
IC1 = LM317
D1, D2 = 20 amp diode (3nos. 6 amp diodes in parallel)
Simplified Version
Using the IC LM196, the above configuration becomes extremely
simple, you may refer to the following diagram which illustrates a
simplified version of the proposed car alternator voltage stabilizer
circuit using bare minimum components.

R3 = 240 ohms
D1, D2 = 15 amp diodes
P1 = 10k preset
C1,C2,C3 as specified above
IC1 = LM196

3 Phase Motorcycle Voltage Regulator circuit

The post discusses a simple 3 phase mosfet voltage regulator circuit
which may be used for controlling the battery charging voltage in
motorcycles. The idea was requested by Mr. Junior.
The Request
hello my name is junior live in Brazil and work with manufacturing and
recovery regulator rectifier motorcycle voltage and would appreciate a
help u, I need a three-phase mosfet regulator circuit for motorcycles,
entreda voltage 80-150 volts, correte Maximum 25A, maximum
consumption of the system 300 watts,
The Design
The proposed 3 phase mosfet regulator for motorcycle may be
witnessed in the diagram below.

The schematic is rather easy to understand.

The 3 phase output from the alternator is sequentially applied across
three power transistors which basically act like shunting devices for
the alternator current.
As we all that while operating, an alternator winding could get
subjected to huge reverse EMFs, to an extent which could get rip of
the insulation cover of the winding destroying it permanently.
Regulating the alternator potential through the method of shunting or
shorting to ground helps to keep the alternator potential under control
without causing adverse effects in it.
The timing of the shunting period is crucial here and directly
influences the magnitude of current that may finally reach the rectifier
and the battery under charge.
A very simple way of controlling the shunting time period is by
controlling the conduction of the three BJTs connected across the 3
winding of the alternator, as shown in the diagram.
Mosfets could also be used instead of the BJTs, but could be mush
costlier than the BJTs.
The method is implemented by using a simple 555 IC PWM circuit.
The variable PWM output from pin3 of the IC is applied across the
bases of the BJTs which in turn are forced to conduct in a controlled
manner depending upon the PWM duty cycle.
The associated pot with the 555 circuit is appropriately adjust for
obtaining the correct average RMS voltage for the battery in charge.
The method shown in the 3 phase mosfet regulator can be equally
implemented for single alternators for getting identical results.
Peak voltage adjustment

A peak voltage regulation feature may be included in the above

circuit as per the following diagram, in order to maintain a safe
charging voltage level for the connected battery.