LED Interior Lights

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

the term alternator is, strictly speaking, incorrect for the device invariably called an alternator in automotive parlance, as it produces direct current not alternating current (the argument that it produces alternating current internally is not valid, since a generator does as well).

John

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That's a pretty fine line considering the rectifier was mounted externally but these days is now mounted in the same housing.

AC can be obtained from a modern day alternator by tapping into one of the phases (as used by my 84 RRC's tacho tap) but I can't see how AC can be obtained from the old generators as there is no conversion.

The term generator has been used for many years in the US for what we have called an alternator.

Sorry missed the D4 bit. Being a newish vehicle less likely to be the battery. Sounds like with the key close by it will start shutting down bits to save th battery charge.
Looks like it did it's job and it had enough to start. So it may be with the D4 it is better to lock to shut it all down or put the key in a metal box?

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Originally Posted by Graeme

That's a pretty fine line considering the rectifier was mounted externally but these days is now mounted in the same housing.

AC can be obtained from a modern day alternator by tapping into one of the phases (as used by my 84 RRC's tacho tap) but I can't see how AC can be obtained from the old generators as there is no conversion.

The term generator has been used for many years in the US for what we have called an alternator.

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This happens to be Australia not the US, and here the term generator is always used to distinguish the older type from the newer type denoted an alternator, although as I explained, strictly the term generator applies to either device, and the term alternator as a distinguishing term is not strictly correct either. The rectifier was originally externally mounted as you say, but I cannot think of a single motor vehicle so equipped as standard. They were not fitted to vehicles in preference to generators until the rectifiers were incorporated into the unit, although they were fitted to special purpose installations - I first came across them in the late fifties, supplying power to charge a bank of batteries to run electronic gear.

Generators generate AC and it is converted to DC by the commutator. And, in fact, I have seen a design for a tachometer which uses the AC ripple on the output of a generator - simply connect direct to the generator output via a suitable capacitor.

John

Hi JD,
Once again, I value your thoughtful contributions. :BigThumb:

Best Wishes,
Peter

Sorry, my mistake regarding the external mounting. I was thinking of the regulator rather than the rectifier.

I suspect that LR have changed to using the US term world-wide in their literature rather than have changed the device.

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Originally Posted by Graeme

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I suspect that LR have changed to using the US term world-wide in their literature rather than have changed the device.

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I suspect you may well be right!

John

Wow that is a lot of response very quickly. From the discussion it appears that either the battery is suspect or that the car is smart enough to not allow the battery to drain to the point of no longer being able to start the car which would be really cool. Maybe I need to experiment a little more closer to a power point and with a volmeter to see if it really can't flatten itself.

Thank You.