Does an alternator work harder at higher gears and speeds or does it just recharge the battery just as hard when the car is in park?
2006-12-01 13:47:52 · 8 answers · asked by jwurm99 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When functioning properly the alternator will produce current at all engine speeds. It will show charge voltage (13.8 - 15V) from idle to upper limits. It is capable of producing its maximum current (Amps) at 1600 to 2200 rpm.
It doesn't really matter what the speed of the engine is, it will usually produce the required current even at idle, though sometimes it may need a bit more RPM if there is an excess load requirement (dead battery, ALL accessories, lights, seat heaters, A/C, and jump start, etc.)
Good Luck and Merry Christmas
2006-12-01 15:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternators work the same nearly at any speed. That is the main reason for them. Generators would not keep a battery charged at idle, but an alternator will. The amperage is regulated by the airspace between the stator and fields, and the voltage is regulated by he voltage regulator.
If your vehicle has a voltmeter, turn on everything electric and observe the voltage at idle. Drive down the road. No matter what speed you drive the voltage will remain the same, and with the same current draw the current will remain the same..
2006-12-01 23:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alternator only works as hard as the demand on it. If you're not using any accessories, it only needs to supply enough current to keep the engine systems going.
Generally, an alternator has enough current capacity at idle to run most if not all of the car's accessories. The faster the engine revs, the greater the current capacity of the alternator up to its rated maximum current.
Incidently, the alternator gets it's name from the fact that it produces alternating current which is converted to direct curent for the car using a set (usually six) of diodes which can be thought of as electrical check valves.
2006-12-01 23:17:15 · answer #3 · answered by young_at_heart_05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most are close, but the closest was the one saying that as u accelerate faster the harder it works, but thats not true, the alternator works harder at higher rpms because its belt driven and since it belt driven it only works as long as the car is on and running so the belt turns the alternator to turn the magnets inside to create its electric current that then goes into a gadget (i forgot the name) but it changes all negative current into positive current from the alternator and then that current charges the battery. well anyways, like i said it works harder with higher RPM's because its belt driven, but works all the time that the car is running ( also because its belt driven)
2006-12-01 22:38:26 · answer #4 · answered by ParadoxZero 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
alternators charge all the time, if the current draw is high then more rpm is needed,max load can usually be handled between 1600 and 2000 rpm
2006-12-01 22:01:46 · answer #5 · answered by doug b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alternatorworks harder a night, becausea
2006-12-01 22:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the car has to be running at a certian rpm for the alter. to start to charge a battery 3500 rpms.
2006-12-01 21:57:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
charging increases with a rise in acceleration
2006-12-01 22:18:46 · answer #8 · answered by melissa s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋