Generator...Altinator... what is correct?
Generator gives you a direct current.
Am altinator also, however before the diodes it is a three phase altinating current. Thats why altinator.
In Germany we do not have to care for the difference, it is simply called "Lichtmaschine" (lighting machine) which means someting to produce electric energy. May be it is technically not correct (for it mainly charges the battery), however it awoids missunderstanding...
And as seen on the pics even the manufacturer calls it generator, but it is an altinator.
So do not care for how you call it as long as anybody understands what you mean!
Wolf from Germany