Been reading my sucky Haynes manual, and he talks about a generator in the section of the alt,starter, dist. I dont exactly no if the generator is somthing in its self, or is this all these things he talks about. is the alt, battery, starting system, charging system and distribitor called the generator? if not, where is it located on my car? and one last thing, what makes up the charging system? thank u all.

 

generator is an old aternator..the thirdgens dont have um..or the 2nd gens i dont even think the 1st gens had um.

hope this helps

 

vast majority of things used from the 60's on (probalby with some small exceptions) were all alternators. A generator has drawbacks and benefits, one of them is RPM, while at idle an alternator will produce the full 12 volts, a generator will not. My buddy's 1950 buick is a generator car, and uh, it'll be going the 12 v route soon, as that generator just doens't cut it.

 

does: voltage regulator + generator = altenator?

 

volatage regulator was also mentioned in that section. i think it does. not sure though.

 

generators produce DC, alternators produce AC which is converted into DC.

 

GM uses the term generator now. They figure that since the AC current is converted to DC, essentially it IS a generator and not an alternator.

 

The voltage regulator is the part of the alternator that prevents overcharging of the battery.

 

i know what it does, what i was asking is pretty much :: didn't they used to come seperate?

 

I see. But I don't know the answer to that question.

 

Alternators use exciter field windings (an eletro magnet) on the rotor and the AC voltage is induced into the stator (the part around the rotor) .
Alternators use magnetic induction to retreve the AC form the moving parts, no brushes in moderen alternators.
A generator produces voltage that is inducted on the rotor from regular magnets on the stator. That voltage that is produced is AC that is mechancly changed to DC with the communator and burshes. Old generators have brushes that are there week point.
All generators and alternators produce AC but how is is made is the difference between them.
I work on alternators big and small all the time. I know them in and out.

 

great knowledge sir. your appreciated.

 

yes the regulator and alternator used to come seperate they were on my 68 chevy truck

 

thanks for the update sir