A car uses a lot of electricity for it to run its ignition system and other electrical equipment. A belt from the car engine system drives the generators used. An alternator consists of a stator and a static wire coil winding inside in which a rotor revolves.
How a generator works is that when an armature starts spinning, there is a weak magnetic field in the iron pole shoes. There is a generation of voltage and the magnetic field. The increased magnetic field builds up more armature voltage which means more currents in the field windings. This voltage could otherwise have increased but is regulated to a pre-set peak. All this is driven by the engine’s crankshaft energy which keeps the system in motion.
Generators produce direct current while alternators produce alternating current. Alternators are more advantageous when it comes to building more flows at relatively low speeds than generators which means allowing more components of the car to function. Improper generator installation will cause more trouble when it comes to the flow of currents, the currents will flow in the wrong direction, and therefore, the polarity of the shoe will change. If the generator is run in the car, the reversed polarity forces the currents to flow in the wrong direction. It will cause damage to the regulator and battery discharge when it is left overnight. Therefore, all generators should be polarized after fixing and before running the car.
Alternators are more efficient regarding current production because it produces three times the current of a generator for similar efforts of the engine’s part. Stator windings consist of three windings which produce a three-phase AC. When a single winding is used, single phase current is generated as a result just like in a generator. Alternators are lighter in weight and are smaller in size than the generators.
A car’s electrical system does not operate on alternating current, and there is a need to rectify the alternator’s output into a direct current. This is remedied by passing the AC through silicon diodes. This is because silicon can permit current to flow in one direction and stops the flow if the path is reversed. Several diodes are arranged alternately to allow the flow in one direction, and hence DC is generated.
When in actual operation, the electrical system senses the battery voltage and the car’s general demand for electricity. If charging is needed, the regulator applies energy to the stator’s brushes which creates an electrical field of charges. The brushes disconnect once the demand decreases for charging. It frequently occurs with turning on and off severally to maintain maximum operating frequency.
If you are interested in getting the electrical system of your classic muscle car restored contact us at Resurrection Muscle Cars for a consultation and quote at (561) 729-0911
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