Barry Schwartz wrote:
> James R. writes:
> >I understand all that, but why do we call them "alternators", when they
> >produce direct current?
> The 'altrnater' actually does produce true alternating current, but through
> the diode pack (array) inside the unit this is 'rectified' into direct
> current that the car and all the other divices are designed to use.
Dan Masters just gave me an excellent article with some diagrams that
shows how this works. In the interest of helping this discussion
out, I elevated it to the top of my "to do" list and it is now
available at
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/alternator-overview.html
Thanks, Dan!
--ken
VTR WWW Maintainer -- http://www.vtr.org
--
Kenneth B. Streeter | EMAIL: streeter@sanders.com
Sanders, PTP2-A001 |
PO Box 868 | Voice: (603) 885-9604
Nashua, NH 03061 | Fax: (603) 885-0631
|