In principle, any AC electrical generator can be called an alternator, but usually, the term refers to small rotating machines driven by automotive and other internal combustion engines. An alternator that uses a permanent magnet for its magnetic field is called a magneto.
Find an alternator that fits your car and delivers the same performance as original equipment, or better. We carry long lasting replacements, like Duralast Gold alternators that come with a Limited-Lifetime Warranty.
It supplies electricity to the battery and electrical system to keep your car alive when the engine is running. As you drive around or idle, the alternator powers key components like headlights, dashboard lights, power windows, radio, air conditioning, and other electrical features.
Got a bad alternator you need to swap out? Learn all the steps to do the job right.
An alternator is a type of electric generator used in modern automobiles to charge the battery and to power the electrical system when its engine is running. Until the 1960s, automobiles used DC dynamo generators with commutators.