Three pole regulator: which way in this circuit does current flow?

[guyorf]

http://avstop.com/AC/apgeneral/regulation.html

I cant completely figure out the way current is flowing through the three pole regulator that i have attched. I believe that current is coming up through the L1 coil into the positve terminal of the armature. and, i think current is flowing down through L2 coil and around back up to the positive terminal of the armature. Then I think that current is flowing up from the negative terminal of the armature through either contacts c1 and or c2 or r1 and or r2 through the path on the right of L2 to the positive terminal of the armature. Then , I think current is flowing f from the ground or common symbol up through L5 and splits to go to the L3 coil to the positive terminal of the armature and the other current splits to go up through Lr to the loads and the positive terminal of the battery. I am not sure which terminal the load ground connects to, but I think its the negative terminal of the armature to complete the circuit. I would like to know how much of what I said is right and if you can correct me, where i am wrong?

 

[waross]

Voltage regulator:
Contacts C1 are normally closed. A rising voltage opens the points and the field current flows through R1, reducing the field current and the magnetic field strength. As I remember these contacts may vibrate between open and closed when working.
Current regulator:
Contacts C2 are normally closed. A rising current opens the points and the field current flows through R2, reducing the field current and the magnetic field strength. As I remember these contacts may vibrate between open and closed when working.
On over-speed conditions with a light load and a charged battery (Automotive applications) both current and voltage sections may be operating. The field current will then pass through both R1 and R2 and be further reduced.
Reverse current cutout:
When the voltage across L5 exceeds the battery voltage, (possibly set at about 14 Volts for a 12 Volt battery, C3 closes and passes current to the loads and the battery.
When the engine is stopped and the voltage drops below about 12 Volts, the current through L4 overcomes the amp turns of L4 and forces the contact C3 opens to prevent the battery from discharging through the generator armature. (and field)

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[guyorf]

Is the current flowing up from the negative terminal of the armature?

 

[waross]

Is the current flowing up from the negative terminal of the armature?

That depends.
Depends on your age and education.
When I was young everyone knew that electricity flowed from positive to negative. We were taught that by the friendly neighborhood mechanic who helped us to repair our old cars. We were taught that in science class in school. We learned the right hand rule.
As electricity became better understood it became apparent that electricity was a phenomenon related to the flow and pressure of electrons. As electrons are negatively charged the flow of electrons is negative to positive.
Now we were taught that electricity flowed from negative to positive. (We were also taught that we must use our left hand when applying the right hand rule.) Almost every text on electricity was now in error.
The scientific community brought order out of chaos by declaring that electricity was not electrons but was related to electrons. Electricity would be defined as flowing from positive to negative even though electrons flowed from negative to positive.
It depends. What were you taught??
In your circuit, when the field strength and the speed of rotation are sufficient that the generated voltage exceeds the battery voltage and C3 is closed, there is a path from the positive terminal of the armature through L3 and L4 to C3. When C3 is closed the path continues through C3 to the ammeter and the battery battery and the load switches. From there the path is through any loads to ground and through the alternator to ground. From ground the path continues to the negative terminal of the armature.
When the load switches are closed there is a current path through the loads. Current may flow from the battery through the load, from the generator through the load or both.
It depends.
Which way?
Now it depends. What is the battery voltage? what is the output voltage of the generator as seen at the output of the regulator.
It depends.
Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damm.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[guyorf]

But the arrows around the coils are pointed towards the positive terminal of the armature.