You might believe the battery is doing all the work when it comes to powering your car’s radio, headlights, and other electrical devices. In reality, your car alternator is responsible for keeping everything running.
But what does a car alternator do? It’s important to spot car alternator issues before they become severe.
Continue reading to learn what a car alternator does and why it is so crucial.
What is a Car Alternator?
The alternator is a generator that distributes power throughout the vehicle and recharges the battery. All automobiles with a regular internal combustion engine will have an alternator.
Except for the ones with some hybrid versions. The alternator is about the size of a coconut. It is usually attached to the front of the engine and is surrounded by a belt.
What Does a Car Alternator Do?
An alternator is a vital part of every combustion engine vehicle. Its primary function is to convert chemical energy to electrical energy so that the battery in your engine and other electrical components in your car can be charged and replenished.
This answers the question: what does a car alternator do?
How Does a Car Alternator Work?
It is important to understand how a car alternator works when talking about what a car alternator does.
How Does the Car Alternator Produce Electricity?
The engine is the first step in the production of electricity. Alternators are usually driven by a serpentine belt from the engine’s crankshaft.
The older vehicles may have a different pulley from the crankshaft to the alternator.
The mechanical energy from the belt’s movement spins the alternator’s rotor at a high speed within the stator.
As the rotor spins, electricity is generated. The magnets around the rotor are strategically arranged to create a magnetic field.
They travel over the copper wiring in the stator. This magnetic field, in turn, generates voltage.
And the stator captures it. This power then goes to the voltage regulator. It distributes electricity to the vehicle while also controlling the amount of voltage delivered to the battery.
How Does the Alternator Charge the Battery?
Before the battery can use the alternator’s power, it must first be translated to a format that the battery can understand.
This is because electricity can flow in a variety of currents and directions. Car batteries utilize one-way direct current (DC) electricity.
On the other hand, alternators use alternating current (AC), which sometimes flows backward.
As a result, before reaching the voltage regulator, the power destined for the battery passes via a diode rectifier.
It converts the power to DC. The battery can then use the power to recharge after the transition.
What Are the Components of a Car Alternator?
Let’s talk about the components of a car alternator now that we know what a car alternator does.
The car alternator’s components are designed to provide the proper type and amount of electricity to the vehicle.
Rotor and Stator
An alternator’s rotor and stator are the parts that generate energy. The rotor is a cylindrical element encircled by magnets. It revolves inside the stator.
It has a fixed arrangement of conductive copper wiring. The movement of the magnets across the wiring produces electricity in the end.
Voltage Regulator
The voltage regulator is in charge of the alternator’s output. It regulates the voltage sent to the battery and distributes electricity to the remainder of the car.
Diode Rectifier
The voltage from the alternator is converted by the diode rectifier into a form that the battery can use to regenerate.
Cooling Fan
Alternators generate a lot of heat and need cooling to function properly. They have vents and an aluminum housing for enhanced heat dissipation.
Also, revolving fans for additional cooling. Internal cooling fans are found in new alternator types, while exterior fan blades are in earlier variants.
What Are the Signs of a Bad Car Alternator?
Your car will not start if it doesn’t have a working alternator. However, the symptoms of a damaged car alternator are frequently misdiagnosed as problems with the battery or other automobile parts with similar symptoms.
Any of the warning flags below could indicate a problem with your vehicle’s power system.
Battery Requires Recharging Regularly
If you find yourself continuously recharging your battery, it could be a sign that your alternator needs replacement since it is failing to recharge the battery.
Trouble Starting the Car
There are a variety of reasons why your automobile stalls, but one of them is a defective alternator. If your vehicle’s alternator isn’t producing enough energy, it won’t start and will stall.
Dim or Excessively Bright Lights
A malfunctioning alternator is the most typical reason for dim lights on your dashboard. But don’t assume it’s your alternator that’s the issue. Take your automobile for repair and evaluation.
Accessories Are Slow or Problematic
If your electrical accessories are going slower, your alternator may be malfunctioning.
You’ll need enough power for the accessories to move at maximum speed. But, if the alternator fails to produce enough energy, it’ll travel slower.
Bottom Line
A damaged alternator could cause problems starting your vehicle or charging your battery.
Like any other car part, your alternator might wear out over time and need to be replaced.
Schedule an electrical system examination with an expert for diagnostics and clear service suggestions.
