archtaib fock up alternators

yeah so far two people have called them generators.. from the manual, no less. :s though i don't think it is actually a generator. generators don't produce enough power for new cars, unless they have overcome some of the weaknesses of a generator, such as commutators. but as soon as one was to elliminate the commutators, it becomes-- more or less-- an alternator.

and no, i'm not going to go to a ford dealer and ask to read the manual from a 2005 mustang. if i liked mustangs, i'd be in a mustang group ;)

Alternator is a derivative of a generATOR that produces ALTERNating current; ALTERN + ATOR = ALTERNATOR. The word's etymology goes back to Chrysler product vehicles of around 1960. Ford & GM manuals still refer to them as generators, which they actually are, since they GENERATE electricity.

Good description, there rest of these were to say that they have balls and know what they are talking about. Most were far from being correct, but they do show the intelligence level of the posting mechanic????, yeah, right.

Mustang!!

(With a generator, don't argue, it does have a generator. Look it up).

someone should seriously shoot the guy that first posted when tryng to heat things up in here.

a gererator produces DC, an alternator produces AC that is converted to DC through diodes.

in an alternator, the electricity is generated by the rotor passing by the stationanary coils and is collected by the stationary coils, with power supplied to the rotor via the slip rings to generate the field.

in a generator, the electricity is generated by the rotor passing by the stationary coils, with power provided to the stationary coils to generate the magnetic filed. power is collected by the rotor and passed to the system through the bushes and commutators. the two are simply opposite.

alternators *are* superior, cheaper to manufacture, and less prone to wear. though the current output isn't as clean as a generator-- thusly the alternator produces three-phase power that is converted to DC for a cleaner power.

this is as simple as i can put it, it has nothing to do with ford. if you ARE HAVING POWER PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CAR, HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY YOURSELF OR SOMEONE QUALIFIED-- END OF STORY.

......

Section 14-02: Generator, Integral Rear Mount Regulator-Internal Fan Type

------------------------------­------------------------------­-------------------- Charging System The charging system is a negative ground electrical system consisting of the following: a.. generator (GEN) (10300) with integral voltage regulator b.. charging warning indicator c.. battery (10655) d.. associated wiring Refer to the Wiring Diagrams for schematics and locations of components and wiring

hurc ast

So what is that 8 HP Homelite thingy-majig that we fill up with gas, start it up, and plug our appliances & lights into, when the power fails, called?

Rob