Re: Alternators and the care and feeding thereof

[FBFISH@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/3/99 10:49:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, armanmik@n-
jcenter.com writes:

<< How it works: The part that rotates is called the field, or rotor. The
 stationary part is called the armature, or stator. >>
Well - I guess I have been wrong before(can't remember when) but the part
which rotates is the rotor(in the old days of generators called the armature).
The part which does not rotate is called the stator(surprised?) and in the old
days of generators was called the field. For those of you who are too young to
remember generators, it was a device which also generated electrical power
just like an alternator. The main difference was while both inherently
generate AC, the generator converted the AC to DC mechanically thru the
commutator whereas the alternator changes the AC to DC thru solid state
rectifiers or diodes. Replacing the commutator with slip rings significantly
improved the MTBF of the device. Having said that, let me mention, that the
starting motor is alot like a generator except in this case you put the
current in and get torque out. There is still a stator(field), and a
rotor(armature) with commutator, but to get the proper amount of current into
the rotor requires several sets of brushes to prevent the burning of the
copper commutator. For the same reason, the brushes are made of copper, not
carbon as in the generator. There are some other differences such as series VS
compound winding which I will save for a more advanced course. I still have
fond memories of my first attempt at rebuilding a starting motor for my 1939
ford coup. Even with six screwdrivers trying to hold the brushes out while I
sliped the end plate on I couldn't do it. Thats when I learned a little
knowledge goes a long way!! Anyone out there have any idea what I am talking
about? No- well it beats the FWD tirades!
Frank Santoro
1990 V8 For sale
1998 A8