What Causes an Alternator to Overcharge?
Fotolia.com”> jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery(‘#jsArticleStep1 span.image a:first’).attr(‘href’,’http://i.ehow.co.uk/images/a07/1i/no/causes-alternator-overcharge_-1.1-800X800.jpg’); }); An overcharging alternator can cause permanent damage to the vehicle’s battery. The alternator in an automobile functions as a self-generating power plant that produces electricity. It converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). It must supply enough electrical energy to the battery for recharging, along with maintaining sufficient voltage to run the vehicle’s accessories and components. Original factory alternators come fine-tuned from the factory to meet the precise needs of the vehicle’s electrical demands, including charging level and intensity. A few problems can result when an alternator undercharges or overcharges the electrical system. Battery Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very h
