Chris - yes, the curve isn't linear. And the limitation is field magnetic
strength, current capacity of the windings, connections, and controls, and
mechanical rpm limits where things begin to fly apart. But generators and
alternators both generate power from a coil of wire rotating through a
magnetic field, or vice versa. DC generators have another point of
limitation, the commutator and brushes, which can only handle a finite
amount of current for their size before heat burns them up. Alternators get
around that by rotating the magnetic field, energized through slip rings,
which don't have to carry nearly as much current. Usually, the regulator
limits the current to protect the rectifying diodes from self destruction
from heat, and that should happen before the main coils and insulation begin
to fry.
So in practice, you are correct - at some point, the protective circuitry
should limit the output current so that it doesn't "cook" itself to death.
Remove the regulator, and it is theoretically possible to get more current
with more rpms, at the risk of ruining the alternator or what's connected to
it.
Werner
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher McCann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 3:34 PM
Subject: [MBZ] RPM, alternator, battery charging
What is the relation of these three? Is it linear, non-linear? Is there a
point (RPMs) over which you don't gain any more charging? I THINK if it
were a generator, then the faster it goes, the more juice you get, but
it's an alternator and I just don't know how these factors interplay
Thanks in advance!
Chris
Christopher McCann, Squier Park, Kansas City, Missouri
