<VV> alternator

[Michael Kovacs]

Old answer. Alternators have no permanent magnets. They get the power from the 
battery to activate the electro magnets to allow the alternator to generate 
current.

 If  you disconnect the battery, where does the alternator get the power to 
allow it to generate the 12V?

When I was in the USAF (about 40 decades ago) our 1961 Ford "Follow Me" trucks 
were specially equipt with alternators. If someone forgot to turn the lights off 
and killed the battery, push starting did not work as the alternators would not 
creare any voltage.. Motor Pool had to jump start them. 

MIKE KOVACS



----- Original Message ----
From: Ken Clark <kcvair at hotmail.com>
To: ebittman at tampabay.rr.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Fri, May 13, 2011 11:18:04 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> alternator


Why would you want to remove it, anyway what happens.  I never did it.  Ken C

> Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 13:00:08 +0000
> From: ebittman at tampabay.rr.com
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject: <VV> alternator
> 
> Myth or truth: never remove a battery cable from a running engine if your car 
>has an alternator. Reasons? If you do what happens? EddieB
>