Are the Alternators too small to fit 4 inch figures in them? Figures such as Star Wars Clone Troopers?
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/228906-need-alternator-drivers.html this should answer your question
Since no one else seems to be giving you a straight answer... Yes. Yes they are too small. The only action figures I know of that are a close fit are Minimates.
Alternators are 1:24 scale. A human at 1:24 scale would be about three inches tall (assuming a six foot human).