Easy tips

What happens if I disconnect my alternator?

What happens if I disconnect my alternator?

If your alternator is malfunctioning by over-charging your battery, disconnecting it may allow the alternator to provide an even higher voltage to the car electronics, and potentially damage those sensitive components.

Why does my truck die when I disconnect the battery?

Running the engine with the battery disconnected is likely to fry the alternator. If the engine is petrol or has electronic engine management then once the alternator is fried, in the absence of anything to supply current to the ignition or engine management, the engine will stop.

What happens when you disconnect the battery from the alternator?

If you disconnect the battery, there will be a spike in the voltage from the alternator which will then send more that 14 volts to all the electronics in the car. This may damage these electronic components. Even in the old days before electronics, when cars had a generator,…

Can You disconnect the battery while the car is running?

In theory, if your alternator is providing adequate power to the car while charging the battery, then once the car is started, disconnecting the battery should not cause the engine to stop running.

Can You disconnect the negative terminal on a car battery?

Disconnect the negative terminal. That way, you don’t risk a catastrophic short-circuit if you accidentally touch your spanner against the bodywork or a metal component whilst you’re removing the positive terminal. Disconnecting the neg terminal will be just as effective a method of isolating the battery.

What did alternators do in the 1960’s?

In the 1960’s to 1980’s alternators had voltage regulators, once the car was running the battery was just a load, like a light bulb. I have memories of needing to drive more cars then we had working batteries for.

If you disconnect the battery, there will be a spike in the voltage from the alternator which will then send more that 14 volts to all the electronics in the car. This may damage these electronic components. Even in the old days before electronics, when cars had a generator,…

In theory, if your alternator is providing adequate power to the car while charging the battery, then once the car is started, disconnecting the battery should not cause the engine to stop running.

What kind of battery disconnect switch do I Need?

This Fastronix Solutions High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch is a simple, straightforward rotary type battery shut off switch. With a single twist, it will physically disconnect the battery, open the electrical circuit, and cut off the power.

In the 1960’s to 1980’s alternators had voltage regulators, once the car was running the battery was just a load, like a light bulb. I have memories of needing to drive more cars then we had working batteries for.

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Ruth Doyle