<VV> Alternators without connections

[JVHRoberts at aol.com]

Having been bitten by an alternator on a test stand with NOTHING CONNECTED  
TO IT, tells me the residual magnetism in the rotor is not trivial. 
 
In a message dated 4/13/2006 11:12:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
slowboat at mindspring.com writes:

Uh,  guys.....in order for an alternator to generate (no pun intended) any
kind  of voltage/current it has to have 12V field excitation. That's what one
of  the wires in the little connector supplies. Without it, the alt will  not
generate (there's that pun again!) any meaningful voltage or current.  The
only possibility for output is from the residual magnetism in the  field
winding iron cores, and that is not enough to do any damage or even  generate
a miniscule spark.

I agree with Ed. Let's not scare  ourselves imagining boogie men in the
closet.
Andy Clark
1966 140/4  Monza Sedan
1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
1966 180/4 Cord 8/10

-----  Original Message ----- 
> In a message dated 4/13/2006 3:43:27 P.M.  Pacific Standard Time,
> JVHRoberts at aol.com writes:
>
>  I've  watched the debate go back and forth over if it is safe/a   good
> idea/sanitary/immoral to leave an alternator disconnected   while
> testing an engine or if it should be shorted out to  prevent
> lightening  bolts from zapping every living creature in  the  area.