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Has
new and rebuilt alternators for sale and in stock for your convince.
We also offer custom repair services for special and hard to find
alternators and generators. In most cases we provide one-day turn
around in some cases same day service.
For
personal service call 706-778-5656
Your
alternator is the primary part of your car's or truck's charging
system, which includes the battery, alternator and associated wiring
and controls. Those controls may include a voltage regulator, separate
from the alternator, or on many newer vehicles, an on-board computer.
The alternator's job is to generate electrical
current to replace what was used from the battery to start the
vehicle, and to run all of the electrical accessories that are in use
as you drive. That includes lights, A/C fan, radiator fan, electric
seats, windows, radio and whatever other gadgets you have.
The alternator was NEVER intended to be a
battery charger. If you forget and leave your lights on, never
jump-start the vehicle and "drive it around" to build the battery back
up. I know grandpa said you could do that, and in grandpa's day of 35
amp generators you could easily get away with it. Today, most
alternators are capable of making over 100 amps of current, but only
for short periods of time. If you drive on a discharged battery,
chances are, you will overheat your alternator. If it is not destroyed
right then and there, it will surely be damaged and it's life greatly
reduced. Jump-starts should be for dire emergencies only, with full
knowledge of the consequences. As the amperage of the alternator has
gone up, so has the price. That jump-start could cost a pretty penny.
Also, NEVER EVER disconnect the battery with
the engine running. Grandpa could do it when there were no electronics
in the car to be damaged. Some vehicle computers are over $1,000 to
replace. Do you really want to take the risk? Of course, if the
alternator is not working, this will rarely damage a thing. But isn't
that what you are trying to find out? If it is charging, you will
likely send a huge voltage spike through every electronic part on the
car, including on-board computers and electronic control modules which
operate the engine, air-conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock
brakes, transmission shifting, and oh yes, the radio! It's your money.
There is a simple way to check the alternator. All
you need is an inexpensive voltmeter.
First, read the voltage across the battery
terminals. It should read about 12.6 volts. If it is lower than 12.2,
you must charge the battery before you continue.
Second, start the engine and observe the voltage, it
should INCREASE to 13.5 to 15 volts (depending on the vehicle,
temperature, and several other factors).
Third, turn on the lights and A/C-heater fan on
high. These are the two biggest electrical loads you can add. Now
raise the engine speed to a little above idle and observe the voltage.
If the alternator is working, it should maintain a voltage ABOVE
13. Some vehicles will read higher.
If you suspect the alternator is not charging after
this test, you should have the system checked further. The alternator
could have failed or another part of the system could be preventing it
from doing the job.
The
battery, it's state-of-charge (or discharge), its condition (internal
resistance), and the condition of the cable ends are the most
important part of your vehicle's electrical system. Taking care of the
battery and cables will add many miles to the life of your alternator.
Always inspect them when you check your oil. You do check your oil,
don't you?
This
Information is Courtesy of:
B&H
Electric in Orange Park, Fl
1-904-269-7052 |
