al·ter·na·tor

(ôl′tər-nā′tər, ăl′-)

An electric generator that produces alternating current.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

alternator

(ˈɔːltəˌneɪtə)

(Electrical Engineering) an electrical machine that generates an alternating current

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

al•ter•na•tor

(ˈɔl tərˌneɪ tər, ˈæl-)

n.

a generator of alternating current.

[1890–95]

al·ter·na·tor

(ôl′tər-nā′tər)

An electric generator that produces alternating current. The current reverses direction, back and forth, because the generator's coiled wire rotates rapidly within the magnetic field created by its two magnets, causing the charge of the wire to change from positive to negative, depending on which magnetic pole it is closest to.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

alternator - an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles)

auto, automobile, car, motorcar, machine - a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work"

electrical system - equipment in a motor vehicle that provides electricity to start the engine and ignite the fuel and operate the lights and windshield wiper and heater and air conditioner and radio

generator - engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

Translations

alternateur

alternatore

alternator

[ˈɒltɜːneɪtəʳ] N (Aut, Elec) → alternador m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

alternator

[ˈɔːltə^rneɪtə^r] n [car] → alternateur m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

alternator

n (Elec) → Wechselstromgenerator m; (Aut) → Lichtmaschine f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

alternator

[ˈɒltəneɪtəʳ] n (Elec, Aut) → alternatore m

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

M2 PRESSWIRE-August 28, 2019-: Automotive Alternator Market 2019: Emerging Technologies, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players Analysis, Development Status And Growth, Opportunity Assessment And Industry Expansion Strategies 2022

Automotive Alternator Market 2019: Emerging Technologies, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players Analysis, Development Status And Growth, Opportunity Assessment And Industry Expansion Strategies 2022

Alternator manufacturer Stamford has launched two new products at the Middle East Electricity exhibition being held in Dubai.

MEE 2019: Global launch for new Stamford alternators at Middle East Electricity

After troubleshooting with manufacturer's service department, unit shorted internally, which the manufacturer would not warranty because they said the alternator was at fault.

Unregulated

Once the battery does its job starting the engine, a healthy alternator keeps it charged, while powering the electrical system even at low engine RPM.

Alternator Tech 101: Troubleshooting Basics: Arming yourself with a bit of tech savvy can help you recognize the early signs of charging system failure. Some basic hands-on can narrow down common problems

The four major components include a vehicle alternator with a built-in voltage regulator, a General Motors (GM) fan and clutch assembly (I used one from a 1988 GM 350 motor), a tower or pole on which to mount the generator (15 feet of used 2-inch tubing cost me $20), and the metal to build a bracket for mounting the generator on the tower or pole.

DIY wind generator: turn an alternator into alternative energy in as little as a weekend using hand tools, a handful of hardware, and some inexpensive car parts

[USPRwire, Sun Sep 13 2015] Alternator Market by Product (Starter Motor & Alternator), Technology (BAS, Enhanced Starter, Direct Start, ISG), Power Output (1.0-3.0KW,3.0-5.0KW,>5.0KW), Type (Electric, Gear Reduction), Vehicle Type (ICE, Micro-Hybrid, Hybrid), & by Region - Forecast to 2020

New Market Report: Alternator Market - Forecast to 2020

* Option 2: Buy a new alternator (or get one at a junkyard) and install it (or have a third party install it).

Repair, replace or throw away: linking sustainment strategies to data requirements

Because the faster the crankshaft turns, the faster it turns the belt that runs the alternator. The faster the alternator turns, the more electricity it produces to run all the electrical stuff in the car and recharge the battery.

Charge battery to skip other charges

Chrysler investigators traced the problem to heat fatigue in an alternator diode.

Chrysler recalling nearly 907,000 cars and SUVs

A mechanic from a nearby shop said they had the same problem, but their vehicle's alternator was fried, too!

New alternator needed with hawkers