Can a car charge a second battery?
Charging an extra battery while driving a car is easier than you might think. The main thing to consider is where to place your extra battery; once you have decided, you can install a system for charging an extra battery in about 20 minutes.
Can you have 2 alternators?
The dual power system design works well with vehicles like RVs or police surveillance vehicles. Two alternators can also serve as a jerry-rigged replacement for larger alternators by combining two in series to reach the same level of power output, which is particularly helpful in improvised repair situations.
Can a dead battery be a problem with the alternator?
A dead car battery can be one of the first indicators of a problem with the alternator. If you’ve confirmed the battery is working properly after reading the section above, then the safest conclusion to make is the issue is related to the alternator. There are a few ways to test this to verify a problem:
How can you tell if your alternator is a problem?
How to tell if the alternator is the problem. If the battery is working, it’s time to take a closer look at the alternator. There are certain signs of a bad alternator to look for: While running the car, take note of the interior lights and how bright these appear.
What causes an alternator to go over base voltage?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
Is it time to replace your alternator or battery?
If so, it’s time to replace it. Some may recommend running the engine with the negative battery cable disconnected to test the alternator. However, this is not a good idea because it could damage the electrical system of your vehicle and cause greater problems. Fixing your battery or alternator can be an expensive repair.