If you've encountered difficulties starting your car or keeping it running, the battery or alternator might be the problem. Avoid getting stranded by understanding how batteries and alternators function together, how to identify if one has failed, and how to tell the difference between a bad battery and a bad alternator.
Batteries and Alternators: What’s the Difference?
Both your battery and alternator provide power, but they serve different purposes during vehicle operation. Let's explore their distinct roles.
How Do Car Batteries Work?
Your car's battery is like a caffeine boost – it delivers the necessary energy to start your vehicle. The battery sends power to the starter, ignition coil(s), and other crucial components when you turn the key. However, batteries alone can't keep a vehicle running for long, which is where the alternator steps in.
Why Do Cars Need Alternators?
Once your car is running, the alternator recharges the battery and powers most of the vehicle's electrical components. It transforms rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy through a belt and pulley system. Inside the alternator, magnets attached to the rotor rotate within the stator, generating DC electricity and resolving the issue of limited battery capacity.
