Which is better dynamo or alternator

Slowly, the voltage rises and the dynamo gets to full power. If a battery has to be prevented from getting overcharged then the output of the dynamo should be regulated. This is done by the regulator that changes the current as needed. A Dynamo is quite expensive and big in size when compared to an alternator. Dynamos are used to produce electrical power in automobiles, ships, trains, aircraft, etc. An alternator is a machine that produces an alternating current that constantly changes its direction.

It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Alternators were created by Hippolyta Pixi a French inventor in The alternator consists of two main components — Rotor and Stator.

The rotating part is the rotor whereas the stator is the stationary part. The alternators work on the principle of electromagnetic induction, according to which to produce electricity a conductor, magnetic field, and mechanical energy is needed.

When the speed of the alternator is reduced or decreases then the output of the current also reduces or decreases. Also, the output of the current reduces or decreases when the temperature of the alternator increases. When the alternator runs on low speed the efficiency of the alternator automatically reduces.

Dynamo makes use of rotating coils of wire in addition to magnetic fields to produce direct current converting mechanical energy into electric energy. It consists of a magnetic field produced by a stationary stator and rotating windings called armature. The armature rotates causing electrons in the wires to move out because of the push of the magnetic field thus producing an electric current.

This current is direct current because of the use of a commutator that performs the role of a rotary switch. Twinkle Toes, I was a teenager working in my dad's auto parts store when the alternators were first introduced.

I'll never forget a meeting that was held to teach mechanics about the difference between the generators and alternators. The guy said, "I know a lot of you are used to shorting across the terminals on a generator to see if you get a spark to let you know whether it's working or not. Well, you can do the same thing to an alternator and if you get a spark you'll know it was working; until you did that. I've got a pretty good digital clamp meter and with the help of the manual I can usually fix most problems, but can't claim to really understand all that electricity very well at all.

Feb 2, 7. Bird, I worked in a gas station when I was in high school. It had two bays and we did minor repairs. I remember one of the first generators I replaced, put out a negative voltage, thought I had it in backwards but couldn't figure out how to turn it around.

Turns out, the polarity of the output is based on the residual magnetisum in the core, had to run it as motor first to get it turned around. Those were my informative years. What MFG and model do you use? Feb 3, 8. Technology is interesting is it. As new technology comes along, different names are given, but the old names for older technology seems to be applied to the new tech.

One has to make sure you know what the person taslking id really talking about. As I teach college students, that is the hardest thing to accomplish, is that they realize a device may have two or three terms used, then you get into local terms for a device.

The term dynamo comes from the word dynamatic or something really new or neat. How it has been used over the years has been a trip!! Dan L. Feb 3, 9. Regulation is the control of the output from an alternator or dynamo. Left to itself, the output will increase with revs. Current output is self regulating as the device produces a counter-current to the current being drawn a bit like Newton's "every action produces an equal but opposite reaction" Law in mechanics.

However the voltage output is not self-limiting and in an alternator, if left unregulated, could rise as high as v. This would fry the electrics not to mention the diodes that convert the AC output to DC. The regulator's job is to control the output to a level high enough to charge the battery and cope with all the electrical demands.

This is usually between A good way to check out your alternator's working is to measure the battery voltage with and without the engine running. It should be about As the electrical demands increase, drawing more current, the battery voltage will fall due to the current flowing through its internal resistance. The regulator senses this fall and allows the alternator voltage to increase to compensate.

A properly wired battery cut-off switch will incorporate a resistor typically about 3 ohms and several watts handling which is so connected as to earth the alternator output at switch off thus avoiding any problems. Check to make sure this resistor is in place.

While you may never switch off the engine with the cut-off switch, a track marshall will in the event of an accident and your alternator will be history without this resistor.

Chris, Thanks for this I am now far more informed than I was. You are rapidly becoming this websites resident electrical expert.