What's An Alternator And Why Is It Important?
In very early cars, a generator system would create electrical power for the vehicle whenever the driver gave the car any amount of throttle. This generator system worked well for many years. But with the introduction of the starter motor, suddenly, a car needed a battery. That's where the alternator came in.
The Job Of The Alternator
The alternator in your vehicle is designed to create an electrical current, which is fed to the battery in your vehicle. Basically, the alternator charges the battery anytime the engine is running. Where a generator only works when under stress, an alternator works all the time, so you don't run out of electricity while sitting at a traffic light. The alternator will create power for your vehicle as long as the drive belt is spinning the rotor inside the alternator housing. The power created by the alternator helps run the:
- Headlights
- Radio
- Windshield Wipers
- Power Steering
- Dashboard Components
- Heated Seats
- ...and more!
An alternator is actually a pretty simple device. The drive belt turns a pulley that is attached to the rotor of the alternator. On the rotor of your alternator are a few magnets. These magnets spin within a coil and create electricity. The electricity is then fed to the battery in your vehicle, where it is stored until the car requires that energy. You can find more about our alternator offerings here.
Why Is An Alternator Important?
Sure, you might drive with the radio and the A/C off, but even if you're trying to be "electrically efficient," your car needs a constant supply of electricity to run. Your spark plugs need to create sparks at a specific time, and the battery/alternator combo allows the spark plugs always to spark when they need to. If you didn't have an alternator, your car could probably run off of the battery for a short time, but the battery would no longer be charging. Inevitably, your car would stall due to due to a lack of power to run the ignition system.
Like the battery, your alternator is one of the most critical aspects of the electrical system in your vehicle. Where a battery will typically fail after 3-5 years, an alternator can be a bit tougher to pin down. It is a constantly rotating part and should be monitored closely. They can often last upwards of 100,000 miles, but when they fail it can be a frustrating experience.
For all your electrical, battery, and alternator needs, look no further than Suburban Auto Parts. With over 70 years of experience and parts for over 19 different makes, you know we know our electrical systems. With 54 locations all over the country, you can be sure your parts will arrive quickly. You can contact us here or give us a call at 888-287-6125.