[myself6]

Im done with this.

The rotor of an alternator does NOT become harder to turn as the electrical load increases. That is the ONLY point that matters when talking about this particular subject and this particular use.

It does NOT take more energy to turn the rotor of an alternator 2500 RPM when you change the electrical conditions of the load connected to its output.

[norwaypinesavage]

"It does NOT take more energy to turn the rotor of an alternator 2500 RPM when you change the electrical conditions of the load connected to its output."

It is best that you confine your comments to politics.

[Jonx6]

"It does NOT take more energy to turn the rotor of an alternator 2500 RPM when you change the electrical conditions of the load connected to its output."

I believe that in order to increase that amperage that the alternator puts out, it increases the magnetic field strength that the conductors must pass through and that is what causes the alternator to become harder to turn.

[JustRight]

Wrong. The rotor of an alternator does become harder to turn as the load increases. If it didn't, the alternator would put out its rated output at all times. It takes more fuel to maintain engine RPMs if the alternator is loaded.

[coloradan]

The rotor of an alternator does NOT become harder to turn as the electrical load increases.

Very. Wrong. Again.

[FLAMING DEATH]

I think you're wrong. My father is an electrical engineer who worked for Allegheny Power for over 30 years.

My brother works in a power station for the same company.

Both have told me that as the electrical load increases on a generator, more power is required to run it.

Not only that, if you've ever had a car that has an alternator that's about to go bad, you can literally hear the load that is put on the engine when doing something as simple as turning on the lights.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Check this out:

"And, in case you are wondering, the amount of horsepower used to spin the alternator changes with output. When the alternators produce only a small amount of current, the horsepower drag is very small (less than 1/3 amp). Large amount of output causes more horsepower drag (about 3 or 4 horsepower to produce 120amps output). "

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/howitworks.shtml