The switch from generators to alternators was a watershed moment in automotive technology. But why -- and when -- did this ...

The alternator and serpentine belt are part of the same system in your car. But does that mean you should replace the belt ...

Modern automotive alternators have a voltage regulator built into them. Typical car alternators generate the field using a DC current through slip rings. The field current is much smaller than the ...

An alternator is a generator that produces the electricity stored in a vehicle’s 12-volt battery and powers the starter motor for the engine and the various computers, lights, power windows and locks, ...

If you can turn a wrench and operate an electric drill, you can build this simple generator in two days. Turn a car alternator into a homemade wind turbine by building this cheap and easy DIY wind ...

The charging system in a car is often the most confusing part of the whole electrical system, but its purpose is actually pretty easy to understand. There are three main components in a charging ...

Have you ever wondered about the electricity that courses through your car? Do you suspect that there's a captive bolt of lightning held in a magic jar? Of course you don't. You're not a Neanderthal.

The battery is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think about what powers a car's electrical system. After all, batteries are what supply power to most of our devices. However, ...

Your car’s alternator is the component responsible for charging the battery, which also acts as the source of electricity while the engine is running. If this vital system stops working, the car’s ...