<VV> alternator

[Ramon Rodriguez III]

One more note on this subject...  (correct me if I'm wrong!) It is bad to
run the car this way for an extended period of time... i.e. drive the car
more than a few miles without a battery installed.  I'm told that the lack
of the battery will cause the alternator to run flat out (maximum output)
which it won't appreciate doing for an extended period of time.

Ray Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA

On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 9:19 AM, Frank DuVal <corvairduval at cox.net> wrote:

> Ah, the old alternator test without tools trick.
>
> When alternators were first on cars (1961 for Chrysler), electronics
> were limited to solid state radios, and they were not sophisticated in
> themselves (no large scale integrated circuits, etc). So the test
> actually worked without damage to the car. Not so today! Car is full of
> precision electronics that has no tolerance for transients, spikes,
> noise, overvoltage....  Try it on a modern car and start replacing
> expensive parts!
>
> How it works:
>
> A simple alternator circuit is regulated by the voltage regulator. The
> test actually tests the alternator and regulator, not just the
> alternator part of the circuit. When you remove the battery cable of a
> running engine, only the alternator can supply ignition current. If the
> charging circuit works, then the engine keeps running.
>
> Why there is a problem:
>
> The battery is a large capacitor (condenser for you older guys) across
> the output of the alternator. This capacitance filters off spikes and
> transients. Remove the battery, and all that crap goes into the next
> electronic device.
>
> The test can be valid on a newer car, but why take the chance on spiking
> something besides a basketball?
>
> Test good for Corvairs? Stock yes, Pertronics and fancy electronic
> gismos-you test the theory and let us know!
>
> BTW, newer cars use the computer for the voltage regulator function.
>
> Frank DuVal
>
> On 5/13/2011 9:00 AM, ebittman at tampabay.rr.com wrote:
> > Myth or truth: never remove a battery cable from a running engine if your
> car has an alternator. Reasons? If you do what happens? EddieB
> >
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-- 
Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez
Lake Ariel, PA