| During the "not so modern days," it was called a | | | | more power. This is the reason why we have |
| generator. As its name suggests, the alternator turns | | | | high-output and high-amp alternators, and most of |
| mechanical energy into an alternating current (AC) | | | | them are made with high-quality magnets, bearings and |
| electrical energy. | | | | windings. |
| The battery keeps the engine working in an internal | | | | Technology has greatly evolved many of today's |
| combustion engine. And then, the alternator keeps | | | | equipments. But despite such fact, the alternator still |
| replacing the power that is utilized by the battery. | | | | remains a fairly simple piece of equipment and is |
| Electricity is generated by an alternator when there is | | | | relatively easy to replace as compared to other |
| a change in the magnetic field around a conductor. | | | | sophisticated car parts. |
| Most automotive alternators use a rotor or the rotary | | | | The question is: How do you know when it needs |
| piston in a rotary combustion engine where a rotating | | | | replacement? |
| magnet inside the conductor induces the electricity. | | | | An alternator needs to be replaced if the battery does |
| And because of a voltage regulator, the conductors | | | | not retain its charge, even when it is charged from an |
| which are coils wound around an iron core also allow | | | | external source. Another sign is that when you hear a |
| the voltage of the current generated to be controlled. | | | | loud grinding noise that seems to be coming from the |
| The rotor is usually mechanically set in motion. | | | | region of the alternator. |
| The size of an alternator is the usual determinant of its | | | | A voltmeter needs to be invested to accurately detect |
| efficiency, which is very often affected due to | | | | if your alternator needs replacing. It is actually used to |
| problems in the bearings, inadequate cooling by the fan | | | | measure the voltage and can get for a few dollars, but |
| or even copper and iron loss. | | | | it is definitely worth your money. And if were to take it |
| Majority of the present day alternators operate at | | | | to your automobile mechanic, he could test it and tell |
| about 55 percent efficiency. But if you augment its | | | | you whether you should replace it or not - just make |
| range, this conversion of mechanical energy in your | | | | sure you got the right mechanic. |
| car into electrical energy can be increased. | | | | So now you know how your Saab alternator works. |
| During the time in memoriam, the alternator only had to | | | | The next thing to know is how to protect and maintain |
| power the lights and a horn. But today, we have | | | | it. |
| heating, stereos and fancy headlights that need much | | | | |