Rather than the apparent, it charges the battery and supplies power to the electronics. Is the current it generates directly connected to engine speed?
Say driving at a consistently high pace on a racetrack versus strolling around the suburbs at 50 mph?
Does it charge the same or more quickly?
And how precisely does the engine function with it? As far as I know, it runs on a belt that goes to the engine.
An alternator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy.
Here is a step-by-step overview:
Mechanical energy conversion: The alternator is driven by a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft. When the engine runs, it turns the belt, which spins the alternator’s rotor.
Magnetic field generation: The rotor, which is essentially an electromagnet, spins inside a set of stationary windings called the stator. This spinning creates a magnetic field.
Electricity generation: As the magnetic field moves past the stator windings, it induces an alternating current (AC) in the windings.
Rectification: The AC is then converted to direct current (DC) by a set of diodes because the car’s electrical system and battery require DC power.
Voltage regulation: A voltage regulator ensures the output voltage remains within a specific range to protect the battery and electrical components from damage.
The alternator works by turning mechanical energy into electrical energy. When your engine is on, it powers a drive belt that rests on a pulley attached to the alternator. The pulley turns the alternator’s rotor shaft, which spins a set of magnets inside a coil.