only the alternator can charge the battery. because it sends equal power to each power point. generator just generates the power to go to the alternator, then after the power being generated it can send more power to everywhere, including the battery.

 

Thanks, Seacow, for the explanation of the "stand-alone" power source, allowing an engine to run with a totally dead battery.

Thanks, too, to CaptNemo, for the reference to the Polaris manual,

I see (page 46) the "magneto" has a separate "exciter" coil.

Then, on page 31, I find a "rectifier" (so much for my DC generator theory).

My education continues, thanks to your knowledgeable inputs. Much obliged!

Diogenes