Exposed Wires: The Complexities Of Electrical Installation
Why You May Need a High Output Alternator
Loretta Hughes
An alternator is a device in your car that converts the mechanical energy generated by the car's movement into electrical energy. This energy keeps your car's electrical systems working and it charges the car battery so that you have a reserve to perform functions like starting the engine. However, you may need to replace the manufacturer-fitted alternator with a high output one. This article discusses some of the reasons why this may be necessary.
Installation of Powerful Electronics
You may wish to install several electrical gadgets in your car such as an anti-theft system and a bigger music system. Such electronics may require more power to operate than what the original alternator in the car can supply. Installing a high output alternator will provide the extra electrical power that your car needs in order to operate all those extra gadgets that you have installed.
Driving Short Distances
As already mentioned, the alternator converts mechanical energy (from the motion of your car) into electrical energy so that the car's electrical systems can work. When you only drive short distances then the alternator will not have enough time to generate enough power so the car will keep drawing power from its battery. This is very risky because the battery may become completely discharged and the car will stall. It is for that reason that you should install a high output alternator so that it can generate sufficient power for the car over those short distances (such as driving a few blocks from your apartment to your office).
Driving in Slow Traffic
Some people live and work in busy cities where the traffic is very slow (bumper-to-bumper traffic) most of the time. Such conditions make it almost impossible to drive at a moderately high speed since you have to keep coming to a complete halt as traffic slowly stops ahead of you (especially at junctions). The alternator in your car may not be able to generate enough power for your electrical systems such as powering the radio and operating the power seats/windows. A high output alternator may be the only answer to meeting the electrical power needs of your car in such conditions.
Talk to an auto electrical repair technician so that he or she explains the different high output alternators that are available on the market. You will then be able to pick one that is best suited to your car and you will no longer have to worry about overstraining the current alternator in the car.
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Jonathon here. I am currently completing my electrical apprenticeship and I have to say, it has been a challenge. Before I started, I didn’t realise that there was so much involved in wiring a house or building. Safety, efficiency, aesthetics and costs all have to be taken into account. My boss is so patient. One customer asked us to leave electrical wires exposed because he wanted an “industrial effect”. My boss explained that it would be illegal and they compromised. I have really learnt that electrical installation is one area in which people should not take short-cuts or undertake home handiwork. This blog should help you to gain a little more insight into electrical installation and its intricacies. I hope you find it enlightening. Thank you for stumbling into my corner of the blogosphere.