Suzuki: Alternator, mini hydro, state regulator

Question
Hello again.. I just want to ask about the alternator.. Hope u can help and this is for my college project.. Hehe.. Can i get help from u anytime when i got stuck? i read on the internet bout alt but i hardly understand and not complete.. Can it produce electricity 12v even at low rpm? suppose i have an alt and a battery, it must be connect to the batt when using it right?  How it charge the battery back and stay full charge? im going to make a mini hydro power.. The alt act like a generator, but i just going to use it to charge the battery..

Answer
An alternator is called that because it makes alternating current(AC), and then uses diodes to rectify the AC into DC current.   While it is better than a generator at making current at lower rpm, it still has to be turning at a couple thousand rpm to make current.  The alternator controls charging with an integral sloid state regulator that shuts down generation gradually as the voltage reaches 14.0 volts.  while I will help when you get stuck, you will have to do the majority of reading/learning yourself.
scotty