Alternators & Generators for Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano Alternators Generators

The alternator is an incredibly useful bit of machinery that produces enough current output to both power the car and recharge the battery at the same time. This job is important because, without it, the car would quickly stop running. If yours starts showing signs of failing, get it checked out immediately.

Cars require a lot of power to run, which batteries cant provide for more than a few miles. Alternators solve this problem by recharging them whenever the engine is running. The alternator is essentially a generator that takes some of the rotational energy and converts it to electricity, which is then used to run all of the various components of the car and at the same time charge the battery back up. What this means is that while they are not used for jump-starting the system, the alternator is the part that keeps everything running throughout the life of the vehicle.

While they might seem complicated, alternators actually work off of a relatively simple electromagnetic principle. There are two main parts that are responsible for their proper functioning. The stator is a collection of coiled wire windings that are held in a stationary position. It also serves as the housing for the other part, the rotor. The rotor is a simple electromagnet, which is supplied with a small amount of electric current in order to magnetize it. In order to create the spinning motion that is needed to generate electricity, it is connected to the engine using a belt. As it spins, it also spins the necessary parts inside of the alternator. The rotational movement of the electromagnet due to the engine induces an electric current in the coils that make up the stator. When this occurs, AC current is generated, which cannot be used for charging batteries. In order to do that, the electrical energy that is induced in the coils is transferred through a series of diodes that only allow current to flow in one direction, which converts it to the DC power that is needed.

For charging to be successful, the voltage must also be in the correct range. The voltage coming out is regulated using a device that changes the amount of current that goes to the rotating coil, which in turn changes the amount of current that is induced in the static coil.

When your alternator starts to fail, it is usually pretty hard to miss. There are a number of warning signs that should alert you to the fact that it needs to be replaced quickly.

• Indicator Light - Most of the time, there is a light on the dashboard that is there to warn you if your alternator is starting to fail. If this lights up, get it checked out as soon as possible, as a failing alternator can leave you stranded with no way to start your car.
• Electrical Issues - Problems such as flickering or dim headlights or dashboard lights, a radio that cuts in and out randomly, or other electrical issues can point to this problem.
• No Start - If your car fails to start, it may be because there wasnt enough charge to get it going. This would usually come after some combination of the above issues and is always the end result.