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 Home > Technical Support

Q&A
Q1.What is the alternator?
The alternator is the device in a vehicle's engine compartment that generates electricity. It is commonly found bolted to the engine block and driven by the belt assembly.

Q2.What does your alternator do?
An alternator recharges the battery of your car.

Q3.How do you tighten the alternator belt?
What kind of car? An old car you just loosen the alternator and pull it until the belt is tight and then tighten the bolts back. On newer cars, there is a tension that pulls the slack out of the belt.

Q4. What is the reason for a burning smell in the alternator?
Electrical fire or bad bearings. The alternator is probably toasted. Buy a new one.

Q5. Is an alternator affected by cold weather?
Normally I would say no, the only thing that happens is the brushes or bearings contract and may spin a little harder but unless they are bad, an alternator actually runs hot. That is why there is like a fan blade on the front to keep the internals cool.

Q6. How do you know if alternator is bad or the belt?
Make the sure belt has tension in it and it's turning the alternator pulley. When the car is started, remove one of the positive battery terminals (carefully of course and don't let it touch any other metal, wrap it in a rag). If the car continues to run, then the alternator and volt regulator are doing their job. The alternator's primary function is to recharge the battery after starting the car, then to run the vehicle's entire electrical system, which includes the ignition system. If the car dies after you remove the battery cable, then most likely the alternator is working. The car may not remain running when a battery terminal is removed. An alternator uses coils instead of permanent magnets for their stator. In order for their to be a magnetic field in the stator, it requires some current to be passed through the coils (A generator uses permanent magnets, so it already has a magnetic field in it without needing any external current). This current comes from the battery and if the battery is removed, the alternator will not put out any current, ultimately causing the car to stall out. However, if the engine uses a generator, it would remain running. Consequently, an alternator will not charge a completely dead battery.

Q7. How do you test an alternator?
Start the engine, while the engine is running, remove either battery cable. It should stay running, if not, possible bad charging system. Never ever disconnect a battery cable while the engine is running.

Q8. How do you repair an alternator?
Depends on what£¬s wrong,

first bench test it and see how it behaves to help you get an idea of what its not doing, no output/over charging/poor output/ bad bearings etc. then disassemble and test each part to locate the trouble, install new parts, bench test to be sure it works then reinstall on vehicle after charging and testing the battery

Q9. How much does an alternator weigh?
About 10 pounds or 5 kilograms

Q10.Can a car alternator overcharge?
Not exactly. But the voltage regulator can let too much voltage reach the battery.
Check for example:
1. Using a voltmeter, check battery voltage at rest. Should read +- 12.6 V.
2. Check voltage at idle. Should read +-13.6 V.
3. Increase motor speed. Should not go over 14.5 V (that's the use of a volt. reg.). If so, could be a faulty volt. reg.
A persistent over 15 V. output will ruin the battery.

Q11. How do you know is the car alternator is bad?
You can remove it and have a mechanic test if its bad, many auto parts stores will test it for free or for a small fee. If the alternator is completely busted the car will start and quickly sputter and quit very quickly because the battery can't run the car very long before it's completely drained. If you get a jump start the car runs great and once the cables are removed the car quits after a few minutes or less. Best way to be sure, have a mechanic look at it.

Q12. The alternator is considered to be what part of cars system?
The alternator is part of the electrical system. It is what charges the battery and keeps it charged.

Q13. How do you know if the alternator is not charging?
Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should read from 13.5 volts to 16 volts. If it reads lower than 13.5 volts the alternator is defective.

Q14. Will the alternator affect the performance?
While a vehicle engine is running the alternator generates electricity to run the car and operate things like the radio, power windows£¬seats£¬doors£¬wipers£¬and the spark plugs to ignite the fuel making the car go. The excess electricity recharges the battery which is primarily used to start the car in the first place. Without the alternator your car will only run off the battery which will eventually run down and wear out much quicker and need to be replaced. As the battery is dieing its efficiency degrades affecting your performance until it fully dies then your car will not go.
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