<VV> Alternator question

[JVHRoberts at aol.com]

the issue has to do with residual magnetism possibly producing enough  
voltage in an unloaded stator circuit to blow the diode on overvoltage. 
As such, there won't be enough current to damage anything in an alternator  
if the output is shorted to ground. But unloaded, alternators can make a LOT of 
 volts if unloaded. 
 
A generator is a whole 'nuther story, and you're right, you'll smoke it if  
you short the output. But then again, a generator doesn't have diodes, nor will 
 its output voltage in an unloaded circuit be enough to damage anything if it 
 runs open circuit. 
 
In a message dated 4/11/2006 6:31:44 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
corvairduval at cox.net writes:

NO!!!!

If the alternator does produce current for any reason,  and it should not 
with no field circuit, then you have shorted the output!  This will cause 
failure in short  (also no pun intended, but it  works!) order.

Never short the output of a generator or alternator  unless you want 
smoked parts. Especially a generator since they will self  excite under 
most circumstances.

JVHRoberts at aol.com  wrote:

> 
>the potential exists. <no pun intended!> At  least connect the output  
>terminal and ground to each other if  you're going to run it otherwise  
disconnected.