<VV> Alternator running without battery

[UltraMonzaWest at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/7/2005 10:40:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
tsc01 at corvair.de writes:

> My 61 Rampside with LM engine, Alternator: User switched his brains off
> instead of the ignition: removed battery cable, and engine surprisingly
> just idled along ...
> Now the Gen/Alt light is dimly lighted when engine is running ...
> 
> Sounds like the famous diode kill? Voltmeter still reads somehow
> reasonable, does that mean I have just lost some x % of alternator
> capability and for the moment could drive along if not pulling too much
> load out of it?
> 
> Thomas
> 
***************************************************************
Depends on what Alt.!  External reg.  or internal?    Int. are bad that 
way....

Use a volt meter......everything electrical ON......check voltage at BAT.  
terms....rev engine if needed...

14.3vdc  or better...you're OK!

PS   before electronics....that WAS the way to test your charging system...or 
get a car started with no jumper cables.....swap batteries with a good  one!

Matt Nall / Patiomatt / WCUH / Mr. DeckRug
69 Monza Cpe., 66 Monza vert, 65 Crown v8 Cpe.
Somewhere between Reno, NV and Coos Bay, Or.