An alternator is a generator that produces the electricity stored in a vehicle’s 12-volt battery and powers the starter motor for the engine and the various computers, lights, power windows and locks, ...

From the earliest days of motoring, cars have evolved dramatically. The very first car envisioned by Carl Benz bears little resemblance to the vehicles we drive today; since then, engineers have found ...

Your car needs electricity. You don't have mice striking flint in your engine's combustion chambers, nor do you have kerosene lamps for headlights. You might be able to hire a string quartet to ...

Modern automotive alternators have a voltage regulator built into them. Typical car alternators generate the field using a DC current through slip rings. The field current is much smaller than the ...

People may think that the battery powers the electrics in your car, but that’s not the case. The battery provides electricity needed for the electric starter motor to start the car. When the car is ...

We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more. The alternator is a device that keeps your car’s electrical system running once the engine is on. It’s essentially ...

Have you ever wondered about the electricity that courses through your car? Do you suspect that there's a captive bolt of lightning held in a magic jar? Of course you don't. You're not a Neanderthal.