[JAKraig]

Ok, I will give it a try.

Creating electrical current is similar in many ways to pumping water.

The generator is analogous to a water pump. The electrical load is analogous to a nozzle on the end of a hose.

When a water pump turns without the hose nozzle open there is no flow (current). When the nozzle opens a little a little work is being done by the pump. Kind of like a light dimmer, when the lights are low very little electricity flows through the lights. If you open the nozzle all the way the pump has to do a lot of work.

If you have ever listened to a high pressure spray washer as the wand valve is opened and closed you would understand in a second. When the wand is closed the motor does not sound loaded, as soon as the water valve is opened you hear the engine bog down until the governor opens the throttle and helps the engine catch up with the required load.

Exactly the same thing happens with electricity. When the light dimmer is only on a little bit there is very little electricity flowing and the generator does very little work, turn the dimmer on all the way and a lot more electricity flows therefore more work.

I hope this helps.

[myself6]

Thanks for the explanation. :)


Although you could have made it a little higher level than that. :)


I was an Electronics Tech in the military and ACED BEE and damn near aced Advanced Electronics. Wave guide theory still screws with me.

My problem here is that I am not as familiar with the construction of an alternator as I thought I was. Plus I didn't think through the effects of increasing current and magnetic fields of the equipment until AFTER I told everyone they were wrong.