hey guys, how do i tell the difference between a generator and altinator, which would suit better, and how do i test to see if mine is working good, battery goes flat in 3 days,

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any parts for a 76 clubby pm me or ring 0405 329 326

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44717

A generator is closed in on the sides where as a altinator has little holes in the casing. A generator is older style, altinator gives heaps more amps. Generator is usually just capable in a Mini so if you were upgrading your sound system, adding more lights etc I would change to a altinator.

What are you running ATM?

*Don't really know how to explain this but....* The middle bit in a generator spins whereas with a altinator it spins the outside bit and the middle stays put. The altinator is more efficient with the way it charges, the generator has carbon??? bushes to stop the charge dissapearing and after a while these wear.

Someone else should be able to shed way more light on this for you.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

what Mini are you attaching it to? I presume the 1100 Clubman mentioned in your signature. If so get a alternator don't worry about getting too many amps unless your going to run a big stereo system. I know the difference between generator and alternator but won't be able to put it into words properly so I'll leave that to someone else. Soi'm jsut giving you my advice and opinion.

Buz
A generator is longer and not as large in diameter. They are generally all black. The amount of current generated depends on the revs being used and the voltage regulator needs to be adjusted to suit varying usages to stop batteries going flat.

An alternator is fatter but shorter and has aluminium and metal. You can see the two types of metal very clearly. They mostly have internal regulators and produce adequate current while they are turning. The standard Lucas mini one is 35 amps although many people swap them to larger capacity ones to power modern stereos and good lights etc.

The alternator is a negative to earth system while a generator (mostly) is a positive to earth system.

If your battery is a good battery and going flat that quickly then I suspect you have something draining the current. If you have a modern radio in it with presets and times then its drawing current because the of the wiring being hooked into unswitched power. Get a leccy to sort it for you so you dont lose battery but also dont lose your presets and need to constantly recode it.

Found a good site that explains how they both work and it's pretty easy to understand.

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/AlternatorGeneratorTheory.htm

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

No no no!!!!

Both a dynamo and an alternator (correct spelling) have an outer casing with a set of magents on the inside of that casing (the stator), this generates an electric field, both units then have a rotor/armature with windings on it which spins inside that magnet field.

In simple terms, using this mechanical spinning motion generates Alternating current, which needs to be rectified to Direct current, of either + or - polarity. Alternators do this with rectifier diods, and depending on how the rectifier diodes are arranged, will give either + or - output. Dynamos rectify there AC by grounding one brush on the commutator where the AC comes out, this will always give a DC level out.

Most alternators have an inbuilt regulator which maintains output voltage, and keeps this set all the way through the rev range. A dynamo delivers less current and will usually have an external regulator, more then likely mechanical in operation. Where as most alternators voltage regulator is all solid state and built into the unit.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Well there you go, you learn something new every day....

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

U betcha!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Rubbish. The rotor in the alternator provides the magnetic field, and not via permanent magnets like a dynamo.

Varying this field current allows effecient regulation. Increasing the field in an alternator allows it to provide a good charge at low RPM.

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."

I stand corrected.
Dynamo= stationary magnetic field
Alternator= rotating magnetic field

Hangs head in shame!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

The old Lucas generator (dynamo) is pretty gutless, it's rated at 22A.
And, they don't like the arse revved out of them- which is why the Cooper and S had a bigger generator pulley.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

If you are still confused, this is what a generator looks like. Sorry I currently don't have one for an alternator.

I think i can at least help out there!

This is an internally regulated Alternator:

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Well here's your lesson for today... "Alternator" is the correct spelling... Not "altinator" as you and buztoy were writing.

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- Simon -

yeah the days of the dynamo are gone, switch it out unless you need it for originality.