Can anyone tell me what are the accesories powered by an alternator in a car other than the ac? So what is the technical specification of the alternators used in a family car?
2006-09-22 16:14:54 · 10 answers · asked by Shadow Slayer 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
As far as the voltage goes, it will be battery voltage, or around 12 volts. For current rating, that would vary depending on vehicle and compressor size. Say anywhere from 25 to 40 amps. Most sedan alternators put out at least 65 amps or as high as 115 amps, again depending on the vehicle. All accesories in the vehicle work off of the battery circuit. They do not connect to the alternator directly, but connect to the battery. The alternator is there to keep the battery at a certain voltage when the engine is running, through the use of a voltage regulator that makes sure the alternator puts out enough to keep the battery voltage where it is supposed to be. The compressor itself is driven by the belt. The electromagnetic clutch that engages the compressor is what requires the voltage. When you turn on the A/C a relay closes that sends battery voltage to the A/C clutch, locking it in place and makes the compressor operate. Hope this helps.
2006-09-22 16:34:10 · answer #1 · answered by yugie29 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Very little - the electricity just activates the clutch on the compressor, and the engine itself drives the compressor through a belt.
Things powered by electricity include the lights and passenger compartment fans, possibly an electric cooling fan for the engine, and the horn and stereo. Alternators nowadays tend to be around 90 amps - although a family car from the 1960's might have had an alternator putting out a mere 23 amps.
2006-09-23 01:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The air conditioner clutch is just an electromagnet. It takes 12 volts to engage it. It locks the clutch and starts the AC pump. Also you are using your fan that also runs on 12 volts and depending on how high you set your fan can draw a lot of juice. If you are worried about it using too much electricity, dont. Also a worn fan motor can draw an enourmous amount of juice, so watch to see if your interior lights dim dramtically when you turn your fan on high.
That being said, if your AC is not functioning and you have taken a test light and found that your clutch has no electricity, DO NOT hard wire it. There is a low pressure sensor that disables the AC clutch when there is not enough freon in the system. If this is the case, get your ac recharged. I could do it in 10 minutes but it would take 20 minutes to explain it.
2006-09-22 23:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by Paul S 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
all accessories are powered through the alternator ... cars with more accessories like power/heated seats and power windows require a higher output alternator ... base model cars typically have low output like 40 amp alternators while fully loaded power-everything vehicals can have 100+amp alternators ... theyre all in the 12-13 volt range regulated though... and an ac CAN pull alot of amps even though the main power is the belt between the clutch relay and the activating mechanism and the blower it can be quite a strain to the alternator.
2006-09-22 16:26:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every electrical component on a vehicle is powered through your alternator. An AC compressor is not powered by your alternator. It is powered by your engine, by a belt. The alternator through switches and such only sends voltage to the compressor to tell it to turn on.
2006-09-22 16:21:33 · answer #5 · answered by Just a guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To add on what others said about accessories...
The electrical system also runs the fuel pump, cooling fan(s), injectors, computer, ABS & tranny solenoids, if equipped.
On older cars with a carb, belt driven fan and distributer type ignition, you could run off the battery for a few days if you didn't need your lights. I know this personnaly, as I bought a 71 Volvo from someone who put a new battery cable on it, but didn't connect the alternator to the battery. It died on the 3rd day.
With all the stuff newer cars have, it's a matter of a few hours.
2006-09-22 18:43:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
12 V and 50 to 80 A
2015-04-20 09:49:17 · answer #7 · answered by m.a.b. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
immediately answer to a humorous question... indirectly. Yor vehicle engine's rigidity belt turns a compressor that genuinely runs your air conditioner. an electric powered motor turns the compressor on your position A/C. to amplify your question, your vehicle makes use of more advantageous gasoline once you run your air conditioner...yet no longer all that a lot. Your A/C motives slightly more advantageous drag on your engine (more advantageous on a smaller engine than a higher one). So, in an oblique way, it does take gasoline to run your vehicle A/C !
2016-11-23 16:24:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it uses electricity, its powered by your alternator(radio, lights, power windows, power door locks, etc.). The compressor is run by the engine using the same belt as your alternator.
2006-09-22 16:27:21 · answer #9 · answered by MK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how fast are you planning on going?
2006-09-22 16:50:28 · answer #10 · answered by terry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋