The car's alternator is a three phase generating system. Inside the alternator is a three phase full wave diode bridge that changes the AC generated voltage to a DC voltage.
Diodes allow current to flow in one direction only thus changing the alternating current produced inside the "alternator", to direct current which is required by your car's electrical system. Think of them as check valves for liquids. Denis
The Basic Function of Diode is to act as a switch. when it is ON(forward biased)it will allow the current to flow through itself by offering a low impedance in the circuit. When it is OFF ( Reverse Biased)it will not allow the current to pass through itsel by putting a high impedance in the circuit. A diode can also be used as a clamp, and as a detector (mixer) in an a.m. receiver.
Your alternator is not keeping the battery charged.
Your car should produce about 14.4 volts from the alternator when the engine is running. If it does not produce anything over 12 volts, your alternator is not charging and you need to get it repaired or replaced.
It doesn't actually drain the battery, but without a working alternator to recharge the battery it will only discharge as the car is operated.
A car alternator generates alternating current, then uses a rectifier to convert the alternating current to direct current, it charges your battery and supplies the current to run all the electrical systems in the car.
A rectifier turns the Alternating Current (AC) produced by the Alternator into Direct Current (DC) that your car uses.
The devices that develop electric power are a generator (for direct current), or an alternator (alternating current). In a car, an alternator is used, with a rectifier, because of size and weight considerations.
A car only uses Direct Current. After it has been converted from Alternating Current generated by the alternator.
A generator generates Direct current electricity An Alternator generate alternating current In a car this current is run through rectifiers or diodes to convert it into DC.
AC (alternating current) is produced in the the alternator. It is converted to DC (direct current) in the alternator by a configuration of diodes called a bridge rectifier. The remainder of the electrical system is DC.
Diodes allow current to flow in one direction only thus changing the alternating current produced inside the "alternator", to direct current which is required by your car's electrical system. Think of them as check valves for liquids. Denis
A dynamo normally refers to a DC (Direct Current) generator. An alternator produces AC (Alternating Current) electricity. An alternator in a car actually generates 3 phase alternating current which is converted to direct current using a rectifier. Generally, vehicle alternators are lighter, cheaper to produce, have better capacity over a wider range of speeds, take less maintenance and generally last longer than an equivalent generator. The one disadvantage is that they must have a battery in the circuit to excite the field coils.
air conditionning no Alternating current
This is an easy answer. The alternator is hooked (through wires blue and black) to the battery. So every time you start an engine the alternator kicks on and charges the battery. That's practically how it works. <><><> To add a bit to the above- an alternator produces an alternating electrical current (unlike a generator, which produces a direct current- DC vs AC) On modern cars, the alternator produces the current used to charge the battery, and operate electrical equipment on the car, such as lights, wipers, radio, etc.
This is an easy answer. The alternator is hooked (through wires blue and black) to the battery. So every time you start an engine the alternator kicks on and charges the battery. That's practically how it works. <><><> To add a bit to the above- an alternator produces an alternating electrical current (unlike a generator, which produces a direct current- DC vs AC) On modern cars, the alternator produces the current used to charge the battery, and operate electrical equipment on the car, such as lights, wipers, radio, etc.
An Alternator produces AC (the clue is in the name) Alternating Current.Add in a Bridge rectifier, and it produces DC (Direct current).Basically the alternator "alternates" or switches the voltage, and the rectifier switches the opposite way, in perfect time, turnign the AC into DC.