Why does water cool the alternator?

Liquid-cooled design with static field coil eliminates wear-prone brushes and slip rings. At higher outputs, a fan-cooled alternator must work much harder to compensate for increased power losses and higher temperatures, which are more difficult to dissipate in today's increasingly cramped engine compartments.

Are alternators water cooled?

To our surprise, when pulling out the old unit, we discovered coolant pipes bolted to the rear case of the alternator and thought “now that's an interesting idea” as 99% of the alternators are air cooled.

What happens when an alternator gets wet?

When they get wet, this lubrication wears away. The brushes then get damaged by the electrical arc and wear out. Repeated exposure to water can also cause these brushes to rust which can cause them to come out of contact with the slip rings. The other issue you'll run into with a flooded alternator is grime.

How is an alternator cooled?

Many alternators are cooled by ambient air, forced through the enclosure by an attached fan on the same shaft that drives the alternator. In vehicles such as transit buses, a heavy demand on the electrical system may require a large alternator to be oil-cooled. In marine applications water-cooling is also used.

How can I protect my alternator from water?

I spray Deoxit into the alternator and "flood" the inside with it to help clean it up and protect it, spray all the electric connections with it, then let it all dry up for a day. I also use NyoGel 760G like a dielectric grease only put extra around things like the spark plug caps.

Alternator Cooling - Why HYDROGEN instead of Air/Water?

Can I spray my alternator with WD40?

You wouldn't want to clean the alternator with WD40, as it would weaken the winding insulation. Hence, it can further cause some damages to the motor. Again, spraying WD40 directly to the alternator may ruin it, as the liquid may get to spots where it shouldn't get to and cause harm.

What can damage an alternator?

Driving a vehicle through water that is deep enough to splash or flood the alternator can damage the alternator shaft bearings and possibly the brushes and electronics inside the unit as well. Water can also cause corrosion that over time will damage the wiring and bearings inside the alternator.

Does alternator need cooling fan?

This current can be used to provide power to run different car accessories and recharge the car's battery. This all process is heavy for the alternator and so it gets heated. To cool it down, alternators have fans, to help the circulation of air.

Why hydrogen is used as a coolant?

The use of gaseous hydrogen as a coolant is based on its properties, namely low density, high specific heat, and the highest thermal conductivity (at 0.168 W/(m·K)) of all gases; it is 7-10 times better at cooling than air. Another advantage of hydrogen is its easy detection by hydrogen sensors.

Do alternators produce AC or DC?

When the alternator pulley is rotated, alternating current (AC) passes through a magnetic field and an electrical current is generated. This is then converted to DC via the rectifier. Advancements in technology have meant that alternators have changed vastly in the last 50 years.

Can I water an alternator?

Though the alternator gets damaged by water, that doesn't mean it cannot get through splashing water. The mechanical parts of the alternator are sealed, but the sitting water can damage it as the lubricator wears away. Repeated exposure to water can cause damage to the brushes by the electrical arc and wear out.

Can a car wash damage your alternator?

If you want to maintain the car alternator you must not pressure wash the car. The force of the pressure washer will damage the car alternator more than any other part of your car.

Can you lubricate an alternator?

Liquid Bearings 100%-synthetic oil for alternator lubrication, use it on bearings, bushings, pulleys, any moving parts, never becomes gummy, gets noisy units moving quietly again!

Why is nitrogen used as a coolant?

Abstract: As nitrogen is nonreactive and non-flammable, it can provide a quick and simple medium of cooling and environment protection. One disadvantage of nitrogen cooling is its lower heat transfer coefficient than water.

Why do generators purge co2?

Carbon dioxide is used as a purge gas for several reasons: It liquefies under pressure (and so a lot of gas can be put in a cylinder), and there is no mixture of air and hydrogen which has the same thermal conductivity, or speed of sound, as the purge gas, as would be the case if nitrogen was used.

What are the 3 wires for on a alternator?

A three-wire alternator wiring diagram shows how the various components of a circuit are connected. The circuit is made up of three major wires: a positive cable for the battery, a voltage detecting wire, and an ignition wire. The engine is connected to the ignition input wire.

Can a car run without an alternator?

For the unfortunate souls who realize that this vital part of the vehicle is failing, how long will a car run without an alternator and what can you do to elongate the vehicle's ability to function? Without this essential component, your car will only function for up to two hours and as little as five minutes.

What RPM does an alternator need to spin at?

An alternator has a normal range of operation. Most alternators need to spin at about 2,400 rpm at idle, have their maximum output above 6,000 rpm, and should never exceed 18,000 rpm.

What is the most common problem with an alternator?

Some of the most common alternator problems are remarkably simple to troubleshoot if you have the right equipment. Problems like squealing and grinding noises, low voltage outputs, and starting or dying issues can often be investigated with relatively basic tools.

Does heat affect alternator?

Your Alternator's Number One Enemy

The major environmental factor affecting the life of your alternator is heat. Heat is the bane of most electrical equipment as it increases electrical resistance, which means parts or devices must work harder to produce the same output.

What is the lifespan of an alternator?

Alternators have an impressive lifespan of seven years–or between 80,000 to 150,000 miles. But be careful that you are not wearing it out prematurely! Here are some common causes of early alternator failure: Alternator quality.

How do I keep my alternator in good shape?

To keep the alternator from overheating, make sure it's clean and free of any dirt, grease or other debris on its exterior. Anything that traps the heat inside the alternator will kill it in short order. Check the condition of the electrical connections on the alternator and at the battery.

What does putting WD-40 in your gas tank do?

When the gasoline and WD-40 mixture finally reaches one of your car's cylinders, it will combust in the presence of simultaneously combusting gasoline, acting as a car fuel. But, since WD-40 is not made of as many energy dense alkanes as gas, it dilutes the combustion energy of straight gasoline.

How do I stop my alternator from whining?

Replace or tighten as necessary, making sure the belt is properly aligned on the pulley. Do check the pulley flanges, as bent pulley flanges are a common cause of belts running out of alignment. Improperly aligned alternator belts will often produce a whining sound.

What makes an alternator squeal?

Why Are My Alternator Bearings Squeaky? Alternator bearings enable the rotor to rotate within the stator, and they're quite susceptible to wearing off. When the bearings are worn off, they cause the appearance of the high-pitched squeaking.