How Alternators Work - Automotive Electricity Generator

[@EngineeringMindset]

⚠️ *This video took a long time to make* if you would like to buy Paul a coffee to say thanks, link below: ☕ PayPal: www.paypal.me/TheEngineerinMindset Channel membership: kzbin.info/door/k0fGHsCEzGig-rSzkfCjMwjoin Patreon: www.patreon.com/theengineeringmindset

[@franklincerpico7702]

Damn I love your videos man, so easy to follow and you make everyday things so fascinating.

[@DonaldSleightholme]

i invented a electric car with five wheels, use the fifth wheel as the alternator to recharge the battery but i don’t know if it would turn fast enough 🤔🚗🔋 the alternator would be on the road, it might drag the performance down 😐🤷‍♂️

[@LG5main]

i subscribed to your channel but i want to ask you something *why and how short circut happen?*

[@tintinfan007]

@@DonaldSleightholme better to use connect alternators to the engine instead of using fifth wheel just for that purpose

[@TheMaster5150]

I'll buy you a couple Starbucks coffee worth if you do basic HVAC ladder diagrams and schematic energized animations. Even a basic HVAC circuit board would greatly help engineers and HVACR tech's alike. Thanks for all your hard work in your videos Paul 🍻

[@Jaden-up3bg]

You've explained 3 phase way better than my robotics instructors! Good job!

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad you liked it!

[@tintinfan007]

animatated videos are much better than chalk and blackboard

[@electronresonator8882]

now that's electrical engineering

[@chimeragaming56]

@@tintinfan007 agree i now fully understand what happens on them besides the fact that they make power. lol

[@academiaengineering5136]

Same. Why you need school when you have “The engineering mindset” KZbin channel

[@dv.singh97]

OMG!!! No words. This 18-minute video is way too much informative than my 2 years in high school. Never thought electricity could be this much fun. Keep it up guys. Keep educating and keep growing!

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad it was helpful!

[@himanshusingh-er7dd]

4444#€

[@tomboytomgirl5356]

Yes, Der Steppenwolf, electricity is BEYOND fun; it is the basis of ALL we see as 'REALITY.'

[@kamelguedd9083]

Yeh more informative than 3 years of electrical engineering that i studied 😝

[@tedkadzik8248]

@@tomboytomgirl5356 Q QQq

[@danbuchner28]

I am a former college electronics department instructor, you do a good job explaining basic concepts without going into the mathematics. I think this is how students create an interest in electronics.

[@iwishtobetexan6060]

Hey man I'm interested in electrical engineering and was just wondering if you had any advice for me. I've never been to college but I'm mechanic apprentice and was also wondering if there is more things to teach myself about electronics in a vehicle.

[@danbuchner28]

@iwishtobetexan6060 Well, there is obviously a lot of electronics in vehicles. You can learn about microprocessors, ac/dc motors, transformers, digital circuits, analog circuits, and some of the basic chips and how they are typically used.

[@-oysterthief4444]

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around 3 phase power generation for years! Im a hobbyist, so I’ve never really studied it, but as with a bunch of other comments I read, you explained it way better than any resource I’ve come across. I can now say I have a basic understanding of how 3 phase works!! Yay! Thank you!

[@TonyP9279]

There's no better place to learn about 3-phase than by watching videos about DC power generation!

[@denverpili3510]

A civil engineer specializes in structural design, now knows EE and Electronics basics in 1day watching in KZbin. Thanks The Engineering Mindset.

[@sekroz896]

Once when you know how all the parts work, it's honestly crazy how simple this setup actually is considering how clever it works.

[@apa_marisapamaris2387]

I

[@apa_marisapamaris2387]

I "L,.

[@apa_marisapamaris2387]

8,,

[@apa_marisapamaris2387]

I

[@apa_marisapamaris2387]

I 😍 it

[@ragilmalik]

can't believe i'm watching this for free while i had to pay for my engineering degree.

[@electronresonator8882]

but you can't apply for an engineering job with youtube's certificate I'm not an engineer, I do engineering stuff as hobby, that's why I watch this video

[@EspHack]

And thats why we're all doomed, i would much rather hire someone that seeks knowledge like you instead of yet another bot coming off some college because "he has to" and "engineering" seemed cool

[@CitySwimmah]

Well I have a masters degree in mech engineering, and I still watch these videos to gain practical knowledge about existing solutions. Degree gives you theory. principles and knowledge about ways of designing stuff. These videos give that practical knowledge that you dont really get from universities, but if you want to calculate the thermal expansion of the engine block under load, a fitting degree could be quite useful in order to validate the results. Hence the importance of a degree should very much vary depending on the specific needs of a company.

[@sopharpro]

Good lesson!

[@FCES_Electrical_Sol]

@@CitySwimmah well said, well spoken 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@stevebahr7782]

This is without question the best explanation of three phase, rectification, and regulators I have ever seen.

[@georgestyer2153]

AS a former lecturer in electrical science I commend your brilliant produced explanations of 3 phase without the encumbrance of mathmatical calculations. I wish our teaching plan was more in line with yours !!!. In another life you could have shared the Royal Society lecture hall with Mr. Faraday ..thank you

[@davemwangi05]

Electrical science? I've never heard such a course. maybe elec eng.

[@georgestyer2153]

@@davemwangi05 No...this was a course designed by Prof Derek Williams and I took part in it's delivery where we took the practical aspect of electrical engineering and examined the subject from a scientific approach...a bit different but turned out to be very sucessful.

[@davemwangi05]

​@@georgestyer2153 Oh okay. And here's this eng challenge that has always puzzled me, and I ask people and they seem puzzled as well. You know that case of current passing through a solenoid? We know that if you open the switch at time t, the magnetic field will collapse and generate a spark. Now, if such an inductor is placed in a vacuum, and then one opens the switch when it's 'carrying a high current, what will happen? and we know one cant destroy energy or create it. Really interesting question, try figuring out and tell me. or you already know the answer in your fingertips.

[@SerpentDrago]

The way you showed the phases and then turned into DC , was absolutely one of the best you tube videos on it i've ever seen , Great work !

[@joshuareynolds7982]

This literally has to be the most informative and simple ways an alternator has ever bee been explained. To me anyway, I have a hard time understanding electrical but man, not anymore this was a real help

[@ritesh8826]

This channel is soo underrated.

[@0blivioniox864]

I find myself coming back to this video again and again to remind myself of how this important component works. I had no idea I was generating 3phase power in my cars' alternators. This is great stuff. Many thanks for this vid.

[@josephmclaughlin9865]

I agree. 3-phase surprised me

[@fiftycalM2HB]

I’ve a BS in Chemistry - and didn’t understand 3 - phase power until now. Thank you for a clear and concise explanation!

[@coolbreezeafrica6571]

Exactly what I have been yearning for....thank you Engineering Mindset.

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad to help

[@christopheryoung2368]

great format

[@HamzaNajahOfficial]

This is insane! what a simplicity! You made it so easy to understand as always, that's why I love this channel, thank you so much ❤

[@EngineeringMindset]

Great to hear!

[@HamzaNajahOfficial]

❤️❤️

[@nabilannouh2842]

Long time ago at the college i asked the teacher, how we physically get the alternating current ( i used to see that at the oscilloscope, i didn’t comprehend that), he said You philosophize a lot. I’m glad now someone is answering my philosophical questions in a very easy and simulated way. Thanks a lot

[@jwilly5816]

Super great visualization. You guys have helped me gain a greater and greater understanding of electrical theory and components over the past couple of years. Keep it up!!

[@adsjld1]

I'm studying an Engineering in Mexico and I'm learning English with your videos, are awesomes

[@NicolasZorziLima]

Videos and explanations like this should be mandatory on engineering colleges. Excellent! Many thanks!

[@alexpalsater7983]

How can you even create such an informative video and have it be just 18 minutes long. This would have taken forever to grasp at school or by reading online... Super good job! You explain and show things so well!

[@belchnasty]

There is some seriously good teaching material on this channel. Colleges should take note

[@neilfurby555]

The quality of this series is absolutely superb, one of the very best edutainment channels. Thank you!

[@stanleyarczvnski1449]

Gosh! I graduated with a bachelor of electronic and telecommunication 4,5 years ago. I completely changed my life since then, ending as farm manager. Have some huge old mill here. Always thought about running it as a hydro plant, but I missed 0,1% of the knowledge required to build my generator... You did it! You filled my missing bit! It's sooooooooooo amazing, cant wait to build it :D If it's gonna work you'll save thousands of tonnes of carbon footprint ;)

[@astragreen]

Nothing wrong with carbon!

[@ArifGhostwriter]

This has to be the best video on the subject of how car alternators work - on the entire Internet!!

[@waynestewart1919]

These videos are well done. I never knew how complicated a car charging circuit was until seeing this. Thank you! I think my favorites are 3-Phase Motors and Star-Delta controllers so far.

[@mrbburba]

I'm study to become a certified electrician in Sweden and all the long and boring videos the teachers trying to explaind as same concept you in one videos make excellent. Tanks for you videos! I'm doing an changeover in my carer to become under 1000v electricians.

[@tcantrell1993]

The fact that you show electricity as the actual transfer of electrons rather than the flow of current is super refreshing. Great job.

[@R-Clairvoyant]

Came for an alternator in depth, instead met half of the electricity basics. What a video!!

[@abilashbrian4997]

@The Engineering Mindset ......u r a god level explainer with such simplicity ......the way u explained 3 phase AC was ingenious....love ur work bro...a huge fan from the past....keep teaching us .......U R THE BEST.........

[@EngineeringMindset]

Very glad to hear, thank you

[@davemwangi05]

​@@EngineeringMindset Hi here's this eng challenge that has always puzzled me, and I ask people and they seem puzzled as well. You know that case of current passing through a solenoid? We know that if you open the switch at time t, the magnetic field will collapse and generate a spark. Now, if such an inductor is placed in a vacuum, and then one opens the switch when it's 'carrying a high current, what will happen? and we know one cant destroy energy or create it. Really interesting question, try figuring out and tell me. or you already know the answer in your fingertips.

[@WistrelChianti]

Superb! The lightbulb went on at around 7mins once I twigged what the electro magnet was doing (damn clever!) but the fuller explanation was greatly appreciated, especially around the phases. Thanks truely excellent video!

[@definty]

OMG Phase was explained in the most pragmatic and simple way I have ever seen on youtube and iv'e seen alot of youtube

[@ORagnar]

This is an impressively clear and thorough explanation with some top-notch animation graphics. This must have taken a lot of dedication to make! 11/23/23, 6:13 p.m.

[@StrangerHappened]

*I LOVE* the lad's accent and voice. And, of course, this is a great explanation, as always.

[@Texadan1959]

I know this video has been up a while, but I just found it. Thank You. I have been rackin my brain crazy tryin ot connect a external regulator to a chargin system with a modern alternator. I cudnt figure out why my alternator wudnt charge my battery. Both the battery and alternator are new. There is no reason they shudnt work. I have had them both tested and they both tested good. I did do some custom work in the dash due to a previous owner makin some modifications. Everthin worked well for some time the all of a sudden things happened. The only answer I cud come up with was install a new external regulator and bypass the inbuilt regulator within the alternator. This video made more sense than any of the wirin diagrams that I have read and studied for hours. I have spent days tryin to figure this out. I will try once again in the mornin with the knowledge I got from and the notes I took while watchin this video. I hope it all works out. I think it will now. Fingers crossed. Any way if it still dont work out, I know that I have learned somethin valuable for the future. Thanks again.

[@GospodinJean]

In an ideal world people would quit universities and instead of spending money on tuition costs, they would donate to creators such as this(these) behind such a wonderful video

[@AbdulDsouza]

Bravo,please try NPTEL?

[@KJs581]

Great video, well done. Full wave rectifiers typically have a capacitor to filter voltage, and an inductor to filter current. But not cars. Car alternators don't have any filter capacitor. They CAN have a capacitor to reduce radio interference, that is completely different, and too small capacity to filter ripple. But the battery is what filters the ripple. The battery is charged by the peaks, and holds them between peaks, hence = filter. Because it smooths the voltage because it can't react/change as quick as the ripple does. The capacitor would have to be quite large. Strip any alternator, you won't find a large capacitor, nor will you find anywhere in the cars ccts. That is why any car manual says "Do not jump start car then run car without battery" as no filter. I fried my battery once with a dead short, and when jump started (to see if battery would charge) the ammeter wavered, as that was the ripple without the battery working to filter it. 60's British motorcycles acknowledge this in that there is a portion in the manual on "how to run without a battery" (for off road use). They provide a cct and part number for a large capacitor to suit.

[@gayanmadusanka5230]

You explained deep theories in a simplified way. Thats great

[@fredoortega1689]

Good job!! I’m impressed. You are a better teacher than my professor. Which proves that you are passionate about your job. Thank you.

[@gamegineer2540]

These illustrations make me fall in love with electricity again and again 😍

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad you like them!

[@jrv5280]

been working with alternators for long but this the only video that let me fully understand the term "3 phase".also a great and simple way to explain dc and ac.great explanations of everything about the altenator.thank you for this great teachings

[@kocengineering769]

In my home little kids of 12 years are there they can get minimum knowledge by your videos sir Kudos keep it up!!!!☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@mikechiodetti4482]

This is without a doubt the best and easiest way to understand how an alternator (or generator in GM speak) works! I wish I had this when I went to automotive training many years ago instead of how and what was taught back then!

[@progman347]

No words. You guys at engineering done a great job for humanity.

[@Davidsavage8008]

The graphics was the key in the success Of this video with out a doubt...nice work...

[@HassanETECH]

Your videos are always awesome. I know how much it takes to draw, animate such thing. Welldone, u r truly appreciated mate !👍

[@carlbernard7615]

Thank you for this, I have just self diagnosed my car issues that have been plaguing me for months. It's the bloody alternator. Cheers

[@hemantoraon10]

Your way of explanation is fantastic and your animation is to good Thanks for making this video

[@EngineeringMindset]

Thank you!

[@Boss_Tanaka]

Thank you very much ! That was so clear and well explained. Instant subscription. Every time you talk calmly about ‘’ full bridge rectifier’’ l hear ‘’FULL BRIDGE RECTIFIAAAAA !!!!!’’

[@speedygonzales9993]

Damn GOOD! explanation. Pity we did not have The Engg Mindset (& KZbin) when we were students eons ago.

[@TGam-wo2vd]

Such a well explained, i had this video in my suggestions for a long time and now i finally clicked on it and it blowed me away. Good job, keep them coming.

[@lukesibley-swain2479]

*blew

[@TheGibby3340]

Fantastic overview. Wish I had seen this 35 years ago...would have saved me a lot of head scratching 😀 A little mystified at the mention of the capacitor @ 14:36...perhaps it’s mentioned in the interest of aiding understanding. Thx! Great piece 👍

[@MrCoolerMan1]

The capacitor charges up with the voltage, and when the voltage is dropping, it discharges to keep the voltage up. This makes smoothens out the waviness. The higher the capacitance, the smoother the output will be. Also, I agree, this was super helpful.

[@TheGibby3340]

@@MrCoolerMan1 Hello... totally understand they mean to imply it’s a smoothing cap and for a description of operation all good... But you will struggle to find one in reality on an automobile...at least all the vehicles I have owned over the years...Cheers

[@swanoflove6833]

It's so amazing that you can access such a wealth of knowledge like this in seconds, I was wondering how they work because my friend had one go bad, and I want to try and see what's wrong with it specifically

[@foreignermakingmoney-phili1458]

Hi The Engineering Mindset, Great video you have produced here, I really enjoyed it, great content, great animation. I particularly enjoyed where you made so easy for non technical persons to understand. I felt it was really informative and you really brought the point across well. I am really interested in engineering and have had a career in engineering for over 28 years from everything from starting as a mechanics assistant to now a Project Manager. I enjoy sharing my skills and knowledge as well with others like yourself. I have provide training to others and had apprentices work with me to kick start there careers. Many thanks, Great job.

[@robertmeyer4744]

That was great. very detailed .been working on them over 35 years now. so many different types. most of the US market uses a Delta wound stator . this video shows a Star winding. still works . not very common in US auto market. The diode trio is not always used. but will be a very long video to go over the different types, anyways very good job with this video. this is pretty close to the replacement 1 wire type in my CAT genset. pully has 2 belts . stater is Delta wound. The voltage REG is different. self exciting type . just spin in either direction and charges battery.Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@bluediamond105]

awesome video , I am an electrical contractor in california so this was amazing to me , thumbs up.

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@duckduckandeby405]

THANK YOU. FOR THIS VIDEO, you see, I have never understood how AC and DC works , But you made me see the light. IT has actually been a problem for me, so now, after this fantastic lesson, my life will be a bit easier to live.

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad it helped. Check out our other videos I'm sure you'll learn a lot

[@b_40_princekumargupta51]

Congratulations for 1 million ❤️

[@EngineeringMindset]

Thank you!

[@HectorNyambiya]

Great video! The negative half cycles of the 3 phases are also flipped over into positive half cycles by the full bridge rectifier providing a smoother dc and the capacitor smoothens it even further.

[@Mr2Xri]

Best exlpanation for the altenator that I have ever seen or hear!!!

[@lobecosc]

Very good video. I learned a lot. I had to replace one recently in my car so its good to know how that works and why was it so important to the car.

[@nikosapikos9631]

Exceptional work with exceptional animation and pictures, easy to understand,very analytical,leaving no blank spaces. As we all know how much hard work is behind this task of videos and explanations, a big thank to you is the least we can do.

[@m33pr0r]

I can't believe how good this video is...

[@shubhamupman7260]

Seriously the best Engineering content out there!! Keep the good work going!!

[@tedlahm5740]

Paul, you have been a great help over many electricity questions.

[@jerrywiniarski1176]

This was a most excellent presentation...it was very informative and entertaining..definitely a 7 on a scale of 1 to 5. Thx so much 😎😄👍🎈

[@legendaryx2k19]

There is something satisfying about the -ve flow electrons in every video for precise demonstration I will never forget it now lol

[@karonynicor1389]

Thank you very much sir for all the knowledge you've shared on us .....💓💓

[@pinkladych9306]

i' m going to be an car mechatronic... its so well explained. and with this perfect animations i now understand wayyy better what my teachers explained to me. thanks

[@baigani0]

this is mind blowing, how we can support you fella?

[@belayethossain892]

Your teaching is very clear very easy and very effective to understand very difficult things , i never found as like clear teaching. May you live long.

[@jessicastephendauer8371]

Great video! So well described and explained.

[@KellyRayP]

Very nice video on car alternators. You should consider making a video about what happens when parts of the system go bad. for example when the battery goes bad or when the rectifier goes bad, ect. It would be very cool to see it displayed in your diagrams as a video. very cool stuff, thank you!

[@lheedp]

I studied 4 years in college but I didn't understand how AC current and.magmetic field works until now. 😅😂

[@michaeltownley1378]

16:18 "Trasistor" spelling error. Great info though I love your channel so much you explain everything so easily.

[@EngineeringMindset]

Thanks, added note to video description now

[@tubegor]

That is rightly an ingenious engineering explanation. Only those who understand the basics can explain it well.👍 👉 Most of the teachers have no idea and they sell it as a doctrine.

[@Tomee62538]

Brilliant video, wish I had these videos 30 years ago when I was studying electricity.

[@ramioooz]

Now this is what I call an education 👌

[@sampatgunjawate2299]

Very good explanation..complex things made very simple that some people takes years to understand !! Great work.

[@RyanANewman]

That was very simple and cleared everything up. Thank you!

[@yparadkar]

I am Electrical Engineer from India.... thanks for sharing your knowledge.... good job

[@EngineeringMindset]

Thank you, do you know we also have a Hindi channel? kzbin.info/door/g4k338hz9U8jnD5SXPO5jQ

[@Poptart133g]

Good video as always, but there's one thing that I think should have probably been changed as it gives a wrong impression of how the car works in general. When talking about the regulator, it was stated that, " the output voltage of the alternator varies with the speed of the car", and "the faster the vehicle travels, the faster the crankshaft rotates." This brushes over the fact that the speed of the car, and the rotation speed of the engine are not directly linked. A car can be moving at the same speed in 4th or 5th gear, but the difference in gear ratio will mean the RPMs will be drastically different to compensate, which will cause the alternators shaft to rotate faster or slower, changing the output voltage. Changing, " the output voltage of the alternator varies with the speed of the car" to, " the output voltage of the alternator varies with the speed of the engine". Obviously doesn't require explanation of the transmission, but it also does not cause confusion by directly correlating movement speed of the car, and rotation of the engine.

[@EngineeringMindset]

That's a valid point. Maybe I can link this in as I cover the transmission gear set

[@ClockworksOfGL]

B’19-GÈ3o ̄5 - Found the engineer....

[@Poptart133g]

@@ClockworksOfGL Yes, but I work with motion control systems, not in the automotive industry.

[@EngineeringMindset]

New transmission video, check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iobTloCPic9khZo

[@royblackburn1163]

Wrong

[@AlecKristi]

Great video, but here's a couple of small criticisms: 1. "diode trio" is a bad term to use, a proper term is "half bridge rectifier". 2. The reason for using a half bridge is not explained in your video, but it's easy: it's there to prevent the battery from draining when the engine is off. It's a very nice way to passively and reliably control the flow of power. The current returns through the main rectifier, and you only need to use a half bridge to isolate the field winding from the battery. Some alternators rely on residual magnetism of the core to start producing power, this is why some cars need to be revved at start up for the alternator to start producing power.

[@ianwilliams487]

G'Day Alex,,yes you are right,,but the reason you rev them is to charge a capacitor in alternator to supply field power to the Rotor,,once yo get a couple of volts charge in the cap,then ya ready to charge,,and the other systems take over,now we have the charge to excite rotor wingdings,,

[@rockvillemike6062]

I don't think so, , the cap does not hold a charge to start the system. it's the residual magnetism in the rotor which excites the system. it's not a refrigerator . That cap is only to block radio interference.

[@crystolslimbracey]

Watching videos on electrons, atoms and car stuff has me like that’s crazy. I actually understand what’s being taught.

[@NotThatGuy_YepThatGuy]

I was just wondering this while driving home the other night. Thanks

[@nickush7512]

The best aternator education that I have ever come across... many thanks.

[@stupossibleify]

Brilliant timing! Love your videos, thanks for taking the time to produce them

[@EngineeringMindset]

Glad you like them!

[@frankmayieka4513]

Paying for education is equally important since you get the concept, adding knowledge from this one then there you are the best among the best

[@muscleman4799]

You guys should make a video about all kinds of mechanical related engineering, like types of bearing, type of oil viscosity and such. I learn far more in this channel and then any other even school. Like and sub 💯👌🏽

[@mudsuckingpig6246]

Donate brother

[@SanFranTriDude]

F#cking fascinating. Engineers don't get enough respect these days. We take this stuff for granted. Thanks for giving us knowledge.

[@TheJavonplayer]

The 3years I been electrical engineering never understood the wye system the way I do now after watching this video. That it’s a shame how it’s made do difficult to learn basic fundamentals these days.

[@miketooth8119]

By far the best explaination and best graphics on youtube

[@itsabuscus1619]

The amount of well conveyed information in such a short period of time reminds me of that scene in the matrix: "I know kung-fu!"

[@EngineeringMindset]

😂👌

[@serogolemogole2685]

😹😹gud1

[@tylerhusky4065]

Bravo! Fantastic demonstration on how an alternator functions and your animations were superb!

[@MrCarbonD]

Love it man. Didn’t you do a video on chill water systems?

[@EngineeringMindset]

Sure did

[@edilbertoduarte9221]

Happy that you take the time to make this videos. They're super educative.

[@lewisrmc9565]

Brilliant video as usual! Could you do automated voltage regulators for a generator?

[@dLikesDDs]

youtube algorithm is next level. -blows alternator in truck- -havent told a soul, made online search or anything- -get home and opens youtube, first video recommended is this one-

[@TheBlueThird]

In today's alternatives the voltage regulators are inside the alternator. In much old cars they were separate from the alternator.

[@williefleete]

They also used a more mechanical way of regulation, bi-metal strips with resistance wire around them that switched the rotor winding on and off