Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of an alternator over a dynamo?
How much extra power will I gain with a lightweight alternator / high torque starter motor?
How much does a “one off” unit cost?
Can I have dimensions / specifications?
How does a geared starter motor work, and why do I need one?
How do I wire the alternator?
What is torque?
Do Powerlite units come with a guarantee?
Where can I buy these products?
Can I throw away my old unit?
How many amps do I need?
What are amps?
At what RPM does an alternator charge?
Which pulley do I need?
Can I buy special pulleys?
What are the advantages of an alternator over a dynamo?
Alternators can spin at higher RPM than a dynamo giving better charging, especially at low engine revs.
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How much extra power will I gain with a lightweight alternator / high torque starter motor?
It obviously depends on the application but in certain cases you will get double the power in a lighter unit.
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How much does a “one off” unit cost?
Custom made products start at around £200 depending on the level of work involved. They are probably less expensive than you think!
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Can I have dimensions / specifications?
If you would like dimensions or specifications please contact us or your dealer
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How does a geared starter motor work, and why do I need one?
A high torque or geared starter motor incorporates a gear train between the motor and the driveshaft forming a drive gear to provide gear reduction permitting the use of a higher-speed, lower-current, more compact motor while increasing cranking torque.
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How do I wire the alternator?
Most of our alternators are available with single wire connections to make wiring straightforward. If you need some advice please contact us or your dealer
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What is torque?
Torque is the rotational force which causes a change in rotational motion. The more torque the more rotational movement or power.
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Do Powerlite units come with a guarantee?
Yes all PowerLite units come with a no quibble 1 year guarantee.
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Where can I buy these products?
See the dealer page for an outlet that suits you
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Can I throw away my old unit?
PowerLite does not apply a strict exchange policy for its products. However, some units, especially the older ones, are becoming more scarce - so we would appreciate your old unit. That way, next time you need a new starter or alternator, we can ensure that we have one on the shelf for you.
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How many amps do I need?
This will depend on the car and the application. PowerLite alternators come in a range of sizes, weights and power options suitable for your needs. For example a race or sprint application may require a lightweight alternator that draws as little current as possible to avoid sapping valuable horsepower. A historic race car may be required by the regs. to carry an alternator even though it is not required for charging the battery. On the other hand, a rally car equipped for an endurance event with halogen lights etc for night-time stages will require a powerful charging mechanism.
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What are amps?
Great big speakers often used to offend your ears at Paul Weller concerts. No seriously the 3 most basic units in electricity are voltage, current and resistance. Voltage is measured in volts, current is measured in amps and resistance is measured in ohms.
A good analogy to help understand these terms is a system of plumbing pipes. The voltage is equivalent to the water pressure, the current is equivalent to the flow rate, and the resistance is like the pipe size.
There is a basic equation in electrical engineering that states how the three terms relate. It says that the current is equal to the voltage divided by the resistance.
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At what RPM does an alternator charge?
Alternators will charge from very low revs - unlike a dynamo which needs well over 1000 RPM
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Which pulley do I need for my alternator?
A number of pulleys are available including V or ribbed.
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Can I buy special pulleys?
Additional/special pulleys are available at a small extra cost.
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Contact a dealer for more details
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