Alternators began to replace generators in modern cars in the 1960s thanks to how many advantages they offered for efficiency and reliability.

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, ...

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 ...

Zak is new to the CarBuzz team, working as a freelance content writer. When Zak isn't writing How To articles for CarBuzz he's working as a high school automotive technology instructor. Before ...

Yes, in most cases you should replace your car's serpentine belt when replacing the alternator. It's just much simpler to do ...