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Apr 21, 2008 | 12:21 PM

#16

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

Actually thats what is used now, hence the term alternator. The AC motors and generators are generally cheaper to make than the DC motor/generators. The older cars used DC generators before the advent of cost effective electronics to rectify the voltage output. The older land rover defenders had DC generators, for example. Its a common mod to replace them with an alternator because its cheaper than finding the original part. Pretty sure our old ferguson tractor had a DC ganerator from factory but was converted over to a 12v alternator during a previous life.

Apr 21, 2008 | 10:10 PM

#17

catfish101

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From: KY

All electric generating devises put out AC. The current is ran though a rectifier that converts it to DC. That is what a diode trio does in an alternator. Diode lets current go one way which makes it DC. There is another diode called a zener diode that can be used in a couple of ways but it job is to allow a specific amount of voltage through then, basically , dump the rest. Now you have a voltage regulator.

Apr 21, 2008 | 11:45 PM

#18

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

There is such a thing as a DC generator that puts out DC current without the use if rectifying electronics, they just don't use them in cars anymore. I guess electric cars that use DC motors as the main drive are one of a few exceptions (regenerative braking).

Apr 22, 2008 | 12:19 PM

#19

catfish101

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From: KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by David85

Now you are going back.

They didn't produce the current that a modern alternator does. They would have to be physically big to be competitive.

My Model A is still original. I have one.

Apr 22, 2008 | 12:39 PM

#20

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

Sorry catfish, I thought you meant to say that there was simply no such thing as a DC generator.

Apr 22, 2008 | 09:21 PM

#21

catfish101

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From: KY

No need to be sorry David. I didn't mention them because we just don't see them much anymore.

We start talking about starter/generators and the water really gets muddy.

I still have trouble keeping up with some of the old equipment I work on now. Some are 24volt systems, 24 just for the starter, Heck we have an old piece that is positive ground.

May 8, 2008 | 11:03 AM

#22

rabutch

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: warm climate

there used to be a device called a starter/gen that served both purposes consumed bat power for starting & generated for charging on small industrial marine, agriculture, apps regards butch