Alternator Vs Generator: What’s The Difference

Telling The Difference

Both alternators and generators can be used to generate electricity but how they do so is what sets them apart and this can be tricky to tell. In most cases, people associate generators with those you would have as a backup at home or recreational vehicle, and associate alternators with the device used to power car batteries. 

While this distinction is more or less accurate, there are fundamental technical differences as to how these devices generate electricity for our vehicles and homes, and here is all you need to know about alternators and generators.

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Alternators

Alternators are a type of generator that generates electrical energy from mechanical energy as an alternating current (AC). The ability for them to convert mechanical energy to electricity to charge your car battery under the hood makes them a common find in the auto industry. A current is created to distribute energy by the mechanical process of rotating a magnet without the conversion to direct current (DC). 

These devices only generate energy when needed, making them very efficient. They can switch on or off according to when the battery needs recharging and hence, your car would not die when left running for extended periods of time.

A telltale sign of a bad alternator is if your car battery drains out when the car is still running. This implies that the device is not charging up the battery. 

In general, alternators are a more intense version of a generator that wastes less energy as it can minimize the amount of power needed. They cannot charge a completely dead battery as it can cause fires and more damage.

Generators

On the other hand, generators generate electrical energy from mechanical energy as well. The process is slightly similar to that of an alternator but generators can provide either AC or DC.

The generator consists of a rotor, which is made of coiled wires. These coiled wires rotate and cause the build-up of electricity, while the magnetic field that encapsulates it stays stationary. As a result, a magnetic field is created and in turn, generates the amount of energy required to spin the armature.

The alternator’s magnetic field always rotates inside the stator. This is in comparison to the generator, which has a fixed magnetic field. When the rotating series of coils in an electric motor, also known as the armature, is stationary, it makes it vulnerable to the production of (low) voltage excitation to the rotor via the slip rings.

If more electricity is needed, opt for a generator as it can produce voltage throughout the whole device without pausing. That being said, generators can also be used to charge up a completely drained battery.

In this aspect, we believe that as a power backup for homes and vehicles, generators are your best bet. Generators are suitable for the heavy-duty jobs as it has a constant output current, and produces both AC and DC.

These units are not only used for backup but they are commonly used in construction sites as a power source and for recreational activities such as camping or tailgating. Lots of Red Stick homeowners are trying to find a generator in Baton Rouge that satisfies their needs. They’re looking for features such as automatic start, a long runtime on a tank of fuel, or the quietest possible operation.

AC vs DC

Understanding the difference between AC and DC is easy. Batteries come with both a positive and negative terminal and charged electrons go from one end to the other, moving through a conductor. As these charged electrons are moving, an electron pulse is created when alternating currents reverse the flow of these electrons. In turn, this creates energy currents that offer a truncated flow of energy, making it useful for power conservation.

On the other side of the coin, direct currents supply a constant stream of electrons that flow in one direction. Alternating currents need more devices for regulation to control the amount of energy produced to the source when a specific frequency is needed. If you want to learn more about what is an ac/dc power supply, you can try and visit Bravo Electro. They also have products that you might be interested in.

The Differences

So, how does an alternator compare against a generator and what are their main differences?

On the one hand, alternators produce AC electrical energy from mechanical energy. Conversely, generators convert mechanical energy into both AC and DC electrical energy. Alternators also have a moving magnetic field and rotations per minute (RPM) ranges whereas generators have one that is stationary, fixed to where the armature winding spins, and gives a smaller variation in its RPM range. Next, alternators cannot ‘revive’ a battery that is completely drained but a generator can. However, alternators have a higher output current and are relatively much smaller in size, as compared to a generator. Alternators can be used for the production of small-scale electricity and charging up cars whereas generators are mainly used for large-scale electricity production. Lastly, the brush efficiency of an alternator lasts longer compared to that of a generator. 

What to Look Out For in a Generator

There is a wide range of options for you to choose a generator from. It can be difficult to recognize the good and bad of a generator so if you are set on getting a portable generator, whether it be for leisure or emergencies, here are some things that you might want to look out for.

For starters, newer versions of generators come equipped with a push-button start. This is in comparison to that of an older pull-start one that we are all too familiar with.

Next, it is highly suggested to get one that comes with wheels to take its portability to the next level. Physically carrying a generator takes a whole lot of effort and having wheels would just add that touch of convenience you never knew you needed.

It is helpful to choose a generator that shuts off automatically when oil levels fall below a certain threshold so protect you and your generator, and make sure that power is spread out across multiple electrical outlets. This helps to maximize the lifespan of the generator and also makes it a safe way to get the electricity you need.

Lastly, it never harms to give yourself some choice and certain generators give you the option of using their source of fuel like propane or natural gas. You can even convert the generator, depending on what you need.

Conclusion

In sum, the differences described in this article should enable you to make a more informed choice between alternators and generators.