Can a Car Alternator Function as a Battery to Power a Motor?

[Atomic80]

Hello, Is it possible for a car alternator to work like a battery and power a motor?

 

[Drakkith]

Sure. The alternator produces AC power that is rectified to DC for use in an automobile. You can use either the DC or the AC to power a motor. This is a similar method to the one we used in the Air Force to convert 60 Hz Mains AC power to 400 Hz AC power for use in testing our cruise missiles. We had several large generators which used the Mains AC electricity to power a motor to turn a generator that produced the 400 Hz AC power. So electrical power is converted to mechanical power which is then converted back to another type of electrical power.

 

[phinds]

Hello, Is it possible for a car alternator to work like a battery and power a motor?

Not only is it possible, it is exactly what is happening when the car is running. Things like the power windows are powered by the alternator when the car is running and by the battery if the gas is turned off.

 

[RonL]

Hello, Is it possible for a car alternator to work like a battery and power a motor?

What you need to learn is, a generator or alternator, no matter what power rating, will only produce power equal to the load placed against it. There's a lot more to this but the main point is from production to use there has to be the accounting of air friction, bearing, and internal hysteresis losses.
Well you will get some better answers I'm sure.

 

[Atomic80]

Not only is it possible, it is exactly what is happening when the car is running. Things like the power windows are powered by the alternator when the car is running and by the battery if the gas is turned off.

Not only is it possible, it is exactly what is happening when the car is running. Things like the power windows are powered by the alternator when the car is running and by the battery if the gas is turned off.

So if I wanted an alternator with positive and negative coming from it, is that possible?

 

[Drakkith]

So if I wanted an alternator with positive and negative coming from it, is that possible?

Alternators without some sort of rectifier output an AC signal that alternates between positive and negative for each lead/terminal. With a rectifier, the output is DC, with one positive and one negative lead/terminal.

This is all extremely basic electronics information and if you're planning on doing a project with an alternator you need to learn these basics before starting. Not only so your project will be easier, but because failing to learn them is a safety hazard. Even relatively low voltages can still cause nerve damage, burns, and sometimes death.

 

[phinds]

So if I wanted an alternator with positive and negative coming from it, is that possible?

If you mean two different voltages levels, one positive and one negative (for example +12V and -5V) then no. If you mean just a positive terminal and a ground terminal the see Drakkith's answer.

 

[Atomic80]

Alternators without some sort of rectifier output an AC signal that alternates between positive and negative for each lead/terminal. With a rectifier, the output is DC, with one positive and one negative lead/terminal. So where can I get this done?

This is all extremely basic electronics information and if you're planning on doing a project with an alternator you need to learn these basics before starting. Not only so your project will be easier, but because failing to learn them is a safety hazard. Even relatively low voltages can still cause nerve damage, burns, and sometimes death.

 

[Atomic80]

So how do I get the ground from the alternator?

 

[phinds]

So how do I get the ground from the alternator?

? An alternator has two output terminals. One is ground. I think, as Drakkith suggested, you had best study some basic electronics before you go any further at all.

 

[Atomic80]

? An alternator has two output terminals. One is ground. I think, as Drakkith suggested, you had best study some basic electronics before you go any further at all.

 

[Atomic80]

I thought that the ground came from the battery?

 

[phinds]

I thought that the ground came from the battery?

The ground goes throughout the car. Again, study some basics.

 

[Drakkith]

Thread locked for moderation.

 

[Drakkith]

I thought that the ground came from the battery?

Atomic80, I highly recommend you find a someone locally with the required knowledge to help you with your project. Unfortunately, electrical work is very dangerous without a proper understanding of the basics and it would be extremely difficult to teach you in a setting such as PF. Per our policies regarding safety and dangerous activities, I cannot allow this thread to remain open.

Thread will remain closed.