Do you own a '69-or-earlier Mopar musclecar? Unless it has already been upgraded, the charging system consists of the old "weak sister" single-field alternator and its accompanying mechanical ...

The days of a simple dc-charging subsystem in a car consisting of an alternator, rectifying diodes, basic regulator, and battery are nearly gone—no question of that. Now, the 12-V automotive regulator ...

International Rectifier (IR) recently introduced the local interconnect network (LIN)-controlled alternator-regulator for next-generation vehicles. IR’s solution optimizes performance in intelligent ...

The alternator is a device that keeps your car's electrical system running once the engine is on. It's essentially a small generator that converts mechanical energy into electricity, bolted to the ...

When Chevrolet introduced the redesigned Corvette in 1963 one of the new features was the Delcotron alternator that replaced the venerable generator. Dubbed the 10 DN, the externally regulated ...

Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running isn't a valid test for alternator function and may damage sensitive electronic parts. Instead, use a common voltmeter and the following test ...

The humble automotive alternator hides an interesting secret. Known as the part that converts power from internal combustion into the electricity needed to run everything else, they can also ...

There has been a dramatic rise in demand for electrical energy, especially in light vehicles, as mechanical functions are replaced by electronic systems to increase fuel mileage, reliability, and ...

Last week, I talked about how the alternator in my daily driver 2003 BMW E39 530i died while my wife and I were in southern New Hampshire, and how we successfully made the 45-minute trip home just as ...