What Parts Do
| Alternator |
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What is an Alternator? An alternator is a small part that generates electrical power. It changes movement from the engine into energy. Inside the alternator is a magnetic coil, and as it spins then generates an electrical current. The magnetic core is able to spin because it is connected to the engine by a small belt. The alternator then sends this electricity to recharge the car's battery. If the alternator was to stop working, it would be a matter of minutes in most cases before a perfectly workable vehicle would grind to a halt. Often an alternator would fail because the magnetic coil has corroded. In the UK most units tend in some part to fail because of the salt the council's put on the road in the winter. The salt acts as a corrosive and shortens the life of an alternator. |