Does the electric Tesla Roadster have an alternator?

Question

You know how all gasoline powered cars have an alternator that turns when the engine turns, right? Does the electric Tesla Roadster have anything like this?

Answer 1

No, the purpose of an alternator is to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.  Electric batteries and motors already have electrical energy, so they don't need an alternator.

Answer 2

Think about it, why would it need one?  A generator changes mechanical energy to electrical energy.  The Tesla is pure electric, why would it need to convert energy to electricity?  It may have the ability to generate electricity form regenerative braking, I don't know for sure, but most commercial electric cars have that capability.  It just scavenges some of the energy wasted during braking.

Answer 3

Technically Yes. The common car Alternator is a three induction alternator (with built in rectifier). Bypass the rectifier and it can make a handy three phase motor. (low voltage)

The main drive motor of the Tesla is a three phase four pole induction motor. It is far more powerful than the common car alternator. It is used as an alternator during regenerative braking.

The main battery of the Tesla is 366 v but it also requires a low voltage supply for computers,lights, instruments, radio etc.

I'd have to have a guess here, because I can't find info . The most likely source would be from a dc to dc inverter supplied from the main battery. Electronic inverters are lighter and more versatile than an alternator running of the drive system.

Anyway here is a link that shows the motor/alternator. There is more info here so enjoy the read.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tesla-road...

In case your wondering there is a "magic box " that converts dc battery power into a variable frequency, variable voltage three phase power to drive the motor. The box is full of IGBT's and power MOSFETs if your that way inclined.

Answer 4

It may have regenerative braking, where the battery the battery is charged when braking. This is close to an alternator, only it uses waste energy whereas the energy an alternator takes puts more demand on the engine.

You don't have a spare Tesla do you?