Abstract: A system, for determining a starting position angle of an electric motor, includes a plurality of windings, a circuit, a processor, and at least one voltage sensor. The circuit is configured to create a pulse current field in at least one of the plurality of windings. The sensor is configured to sense a pulse current field response in a corresponding winding of the plurality of windings. The processor is in communication with the voltage sensor and is configured to determine the position angle of the rotor based on the pulse field response.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the voltage output of an alternator is disclosed. The system includes an alternator having a rotor, which has a field winding, a stator having a plurality of phases, a rectifier bridge connected to the plurality of phases, at least one detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of phases, and a controller in communication with the at least one detection circuit and the rectifier bridge. The plurality of phases of the stator are magnetically coupled to the field winding. The rectifier bridge has a plurality of switches for rectifying the alternating current developed in the plurality of stator phases. The at least one detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of phases are used to sense a current reversal in each of the plurality of stator phases. The controller controls the operation of the plurality of switches when the reversal of the current has been sensed by the at least one detection circuit.