Hey,got a ?. If I wanted to use an alt. to generate power for an application other than on a vehicle, how would the wiring need to be done? Let's say off a car, can I power a 12volt headlight using an alt? If so, how would I wire it? I know someone will know this.

_________________
ifyoubegintothinkyou'relosingcontrol...it'salreadygone

On the car or off the car the wiring will be the same. You will still need a regulator, alternator, and some means of spinning the alternator at sufficient rpm. You need to get it going at a good 1500-2000 rpm rotor speed before it will put out.

I'm not 100% positive but I believe you still need a battery as well when initally starting the system, then it may be removed. But if you do take the battery out, you have to be careful not to exceed the current rating of the alternator or else you will blow out its diodes quickly.

Thanx , that tells me I can't do what I wanted to do.

_________________
ifyoubegintothinkyou'relosingcontrol...it'salreadygone

I had an uncle hook up a car alternator to his windmill to keep some car batteries charged underneath his house. They fed some 12V lights he got off an RV and placed in his kitchen, bathroom, etc., where they didn't need to burn continuously. Or was that a generator off an older vehicle?
Can't remember.

Jerry

_________________
There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

You'll need some voltage to excite the field in order to get current out. That' what the voltage regulator controls.