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PTO Alternator vs. Generator

M

M Nut

Well-known Member
Just wondering what the difference was between the two. I passed on a 15,000 watt pto generator last fall, but ended up buying a 35,000 watt pto alternator a few weeks ago. Got it for $600, which I thought was a pretty good buy. It works excellent. I just don't know what the difference is between the two.
 
A generator puts out DC voltage and an alternator puts out AC voltage. In a generator unit they have a thing that then in turn turns that DC to AC current so you can use it in your home. I the long run a generator type has a lot more parts that can go bad
 
Theres some people that sort of get those terms mixed up and refer to 120/240 VAC engine or PTO driven units as "Generators" in a generic sense even thought they are producing AC power.

A late model belt driven typical 12 volt automotive unit is an alternator instead of a generator like used in cars in the twenties, thirties to fifties and sixties etc. However those alternators that are producing AC make use of rectifiers/diodes to convert the raw AC over to DC.

They dont do the opposite so much in automotive applications, i.e. convert DC to AC, they do that in RV's alot to convert the 12 VDC battery voltage to 120 VAC for small electronics and appliances. Those are called DC to AC Inverters

John T
 
After forty four years of working on Generators. I hear that question all the time. As for as output goes. They are both the same. But as old said the true generator has more parts to breakdown than an Alternator has. You will hear the term generator used to describe everything from RV units to Standby systems for larger use. When they are actually alternators.
 
Funny thing about those auto alts. GM still lists them as generators. An older GM guy told me it had something to do with Chrysler having the name alternator trade marked.
 
Just terminology that has been miss-used.
Lets not forget that most folk use the electrical term "ground" for the tractor chassis. When it is in no way shape or form having anything to do with earth potential on an AC power system.
 
In non technical terms its a Generator I reckon since it GENERATES something, being electricity in these cases.

John T
 
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