Can a bad battery ruin a new alternator?
Can a bad alternator kill a new battery? Yes, very easily. A failing alternator can overcharge, which will damage the battery. An undercharging alternator will leave the battery flat, which speeds up its failure.
What happens if an alternator gets disconnected from the battery?
If the alternator suddenly gets disconnected from the battery, the alternator has no route to deliver it’s current. If the alternator has no other way to deliver it’s current, the load dump will most likely burn the alternator diodes and destroy the alternator.
What should I do if my alternator keeps dying?
The alternator is essentially a generator and it keeps your battery charged while supplying additional electrical power for the other systems in the vehicle. If you have a new alternator and your battery keeps dying on you, then there’s definitely a problem that you’re going to need to look into.
What should the charge voltage be on an alternator?
Turn on the high beams for 10 seconds and then turn them off. Measure battery voltage across the battery posts with your DMM. You should get between 12.4 and 12.6V. This means your battery is fully charged. If you get a reading below 12.4V, charge the battery before continuing. 5b. Measure the Charging System’s No-Load Voltage
How can I reduce the risk of overheating my alternator?
There are basically two ways of reducing the risk of overheating the alternator. The most common way of current limiting the alternator is to use a lead-acid battery for the alternator. The alternator is then charging the lead-acid battery, and the lead-acid battery is charging the lithium battery through a battery-battery charger.
What should I do if my alternator is not charging?
The alternator normally lasts longer than the battery. There are some easy steps you can go through to check the function of your alternator. Tap the alternator carefully with a hammer while the engine is runnin; if the charging goes back to normal, the coals inside it are worn out.
How do you install a new alternator in a car?
Install the new alternator, making sure that it fits properly and aligns with the existing bolt holes, by reversing the steps in the disassembly procedure. Some alternators will have a transverse bolt that allows you to move the alternator fore-and-aft in the bracket to adjust belt tension.
Can a car battery be drained by an alternator?
While you might initially think that any problems with electrical things like lights or radio not working are directly related to the battery, the alternator is actually where most of the power in your vehicle comes from. Consider that if you were to leave the lights of your car on overnight by the next day your battery might be drained completely.
How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?
To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.