[Vwdiesel] Alternators versus Generators --( for beginners )

[H . Hagar.]

  Gee, and I always understood it was because they would put out nearly
full power just above an idle, didn't de-polarize, lasted longer and could
put out more power in a similar sized package.
Loren

Hagar sez :   Loren you are getting warm ---but it is more complex than that.

When Edison (the DC guy) and his competition the AC guy slugged it out ?  the AC
Alternator guy won hands down.--WHY ? the transformers .

To cut across history of electrical innovation ?  ---possible ? yes it is.  The reason a
car Alternator became practical and CHEAP ? --enter the Silicon Diode and the transistor
regulator.---without the DIODES ?  --we would still be using Generators IMHO.-----All the
alternators I worked on (fooled around with)   were 3 phase  --about 400 to 800 Hz.---A
full wave bridge rectifier and a Isolation diode to follow.  To make the power ?  a wire
must cut across a magnetic line ---the faster the better for the weight problems. --the
Alternator really shines in that department.----the number of turns of wire  per pole at
12 volts ?  --hell I rewound an Alternator in a snow bank in the interior of BC Kanada on
a safari one year ----top that one for a limping home tale ? --- " Headles Valley BC
  ---Hagar did NOT loose his head---he made it home to the Coast.-----numbers of turns ?
about 10 or so.---ok ok I am senile so what if it was " Hungry Valley " ?.
I had to say that because of the many witnesses.--With a Generator ?   could NOT be
done --trust me.

Hagar .

PS : I wound it single phase and used the isolation diode as a half wave
rectifier.----BINGO. So why did a brand new Motorola Alternator fail way up there
  ---enter the SPRINGS in the Land Rover   ---it shook apart. ----they do not pave all
roads in the interior just yet.-----that was about 1971 era.