| Car Basics - What is an Alternator | | | | |
| For the full version of thisarticle complete with | | | | Where is my Alternator ? |
| photos, please visit ; | | | | On every car I have owned, the alternator hasbeen |
| ARTICLE | | | | on the left sideat the front of the engine bay when |
| "Oh it'sprobably your alternator mate, it's probably | | | | looking from the front of the car. |
| knackered." | | | | Without getting too technicalhere is a little more info. |
| Well that'sgreat news, I don't even know what an | | | | The alternator is bolted to the side of the engine and |
| Alternator is,let alone know how to checkit or replace | | | | is driven (turned) bythe engine via a belt.The belt |
| it. | | | | turns a shaftinside the alternator when the engine is |
| Well hopefully we can shed alittle light onto this | | | | running and theoutput (voltage) issent to the battery |
| matter with the article below. | | | | via wires. |
| Simply put ; | | | | Alternators are relatively easyto change and many |
| Analternator is a generator. It generates an electrical | | | | places sell brand new replacements as well |
| current. | | | | asreconditioned or refurbished items. |
| When does it do this ? - | | | | A reconditioned alternator has had all theinternal wear |
| It will generate an electrical current when the engine | | | | parts such asbrushes replaced with new ones. |
| is running. | | | | They will have been tested and will come with |
| Here are a couple of photos ; | | | | aguarantee. |
| What does it do with theelectrical current ? | | | | I have also fitted second hand (used) alternators to a |
| It sends it back into the battery, it recharges it. | | | | number of my cars. Thesehave been sourced |
| Why do I need an alternator ? | | | | fromscrap yards or vehicle dismantlers. |
| Because if the battery was not recharged, there | | | | They normally come with a receipt and can |
| would be no power to runthe car. | | | | bechanged within a shortperiod of time if they turn |
| If you took a fully charged battery and put it onto | | | | out not to be working. |
| your car, the car wouldstart and continue to draw | | | | I have always asked thesupplier to test the |
| power out of thebattery | | | | alternatorbefore I have paid for it. |
| (i.e. for the spark plugs in a petrol engine). Eventually | | | | When buying parts it is always very important to |
| the batterywill run flat (no power) and the engine will | | | | keepthe receipts incase a problemoccurs. |
| stop. | | | | Receipts are always worth keeping as they show a |
| Think of it like a full circle ; | | | | history of your carwhichprospective buyers liketo see |
| Battery starts the engine - Engine turns the | | | | when they are thinking of buying your vehicle. |
| alternator - Alternator rechargesthe battery. | | | | |