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yes but the engine has to be running to spin the alternator to charge the battery
It spins a coil of wire past magnets (or vice versa) creating AC power. Its the same as wind generaters, hydro generators or even the breaking system on some of the hybrid cars.
That energy passes though a regulator unit that converts it into DC power and feeds it into the battery for storage. It also prevents the battery from being over charged.
An alternator is actually the twin (running in a different direction) from most electric motors. If you install an aftermarket electic cooling fan on your radiator and it doesn't have the proper electrical set up... the car will keep running after the key is turned off just from the power of the fan spinning like a generator (alternator) and keeps power going into the ignition system. The free spinning fan while you drive sill also create more power and can overload the regulator.
You can also use an alternator to make a windmill or a hydro generator if your mechanicaly inclined.
I won't go into detail about efficiency and power loss through resistance and converting energy...
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∙ 12y ago
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What is the primary function of alternators?
The primary function of alternators is to generate electricity to recharge a car battery. The alternator recharges the battery while the car is being used.
What makes alternators burn out?
Expecting the alternator to recharge a low battery puts to much stress on the alternator.
Why does a battery charger produces a higher voltage than the battery being charged?
Battery chargers generally operate at the same voltage as the voltage as the battery they are charging. They usually vary the amperage they feed into the battery to recharge it. A trickle charger usually only feeds a few amps into a battery to recharge it slowly over time. A fast charger feeds more amps for less time to bring the battery to full charge faster. Automotive alternators are the only charging systems that I am familiar with that generate more voltage than the battery they are charging. That's because they have to run the car AND recharge the battery at the same time. Car alternators can vary their amperage and voltage outputs to allow for the varying demands of the car and all of it's electrical devices and recharge the battery as needed.
If you constantly run your car with a dead battery will this hurt your alternator?
Yes, alternators are designed to maintain the battery, or recharge a battery that has been slightly discharged from starting the car. When the alternator is used to recharge a dead battery, it causes the alternator work harder and longer than it is designed for, causing it to overheat, thus causing damage to the alternator. A battery charger should be used instead. They are designed for charging dead batteries. After the battery is charged, let the alternator maintain the charge.
What is the function of generator in charging a battery?
The generator charges the battery! In an automobile, the battery produces the electricity to start the car. Starting the car takes electricity out of the battery. The car needs to replace the electricity so it will start again the next time. The generator produces the electricity to recharge the battery so the car will start the next time. Cars today use Alternators not Generators. Generators have not been used in autos since the mid 60s. Alternators unlike a generator can still charge a battery even with the engine idling. Alternators are more complex but much better at handling todays high demands for current on modern cars with all the associated electronics.
What cause diode failures in alternators?
Overheating/overworking the alternator expecting to charge a run down battery. Alternators are designed to maintain a battery not for charging a dead one.
Does pcm control the battery on 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
It does control the alternators charging of the battery.
How do you fix a dead battery?
recharge it or get a new battery
How can you use the word recharge in a sentence?
You would recharge the battery if it were not working
How can recharge secondary cell?
By forcing electrodes through the positive terminal of the battery which becomes the anode in the recharge process of a battery
How do you reset battery?
There is no such thing as resetting a battery. You can recharge it but not reset it.
How often do you have to recharge your Droid?
You should only recharge it when the battery gets low.
