Electric issue...
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,742
From: Virginia
Stay away from people who tell you to unplug the battery with the engine running. That's a good way to blow stuff up.
Get a good voltmeter, read the voltage on the battery with the engine off, and then read it with the engine running. You should have around 12v or so with it off, and 13.5-14.5v with the engine running.
Get a good voltmeter, read the voltage on the battery with the engine off, and then read it with the engine running. You should have around 12v or so with it off, and 13.5-14.5v with the engine running.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Dave is right, by the way, disconnecting the battery is a bad thing to do. And you are right - "no one here knows what to do."
What problem are you trying to solve by unplugging the battery? I thought you got things fixed. What am I missing?
What problem are you trying to solve by unplugging the battery? I thought you got things fixed. What am I missing?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Taking the cable off at the battery end (risky, as pointed out) should allow it to still run, since power from the alt is still getting to the rest of the electrical systems.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
The battery is a significant "sink" for voltage spikes that could easily kill electronics. Basically it is a huge capacitor that steamrollers any spikes. And one source of spikes is the alternator - especially if it has a diode out. Let a few of those get through and you can easily lose the regulator or the ignition box.
But, I can't explain why another vehicle would run w/o the alternator. My experience is that all engines with alternators die instantly.
But, I can't explain why another vehicle would run w/o the alternator. My experience is that all engines with alternators die instantly.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
it's a damper, but not a capacitor.
Batteries store power chemically.
Capacitors store it as static charge.
The line is becoming blurred with all this "super, psudo, nano" capacitor stuff.
Batteries store power chemically.
Capacitors store it as static charge.
The line is becoming blurred with all this "super, psudo, nano" capacitor stuff.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
And the line between damper and capacitor is equally blurred - as I learned in "Parallel Systems". We used mechanical dampers to model electrical capacitors, restrictions to parallel resistors, inductors for springs, etc.
But, you are right, there is a difference. Which is why I said "basically". Figured people might know what a capacitor is - but an electrical damper?
But, you are right, there is a difference. Which is why I said "basically". Figured people might know what a capacitor is - but an electrical damper?
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Gary,
I doubt very many have any idea what a capacitor is, or how the various types function.
storing charge, buffering, decoupling, etc...
The condenser of a points ignition is a capacitor, as is the radio noise suppressor of DSII trucks like mine.
Your point is noted.
I doubt very many have any idea what a capacitor is, or how the various types function.
storing charge, buffering, decoupling, etc...
The condenser of a points ignition is a capacitor, as is the radio noise suppressor of DSII trucks like mine.
Your point is noted.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Too true. Therefore, they have a harder time understanding what is going on with electrical systems, or even mechanical ones. A basic understanding of the building blocks makes all the difference.
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