[liveaxle]

How long will a battery last when it isn't getting power from the alternator? Assuming that I don't start the truck except for one time and I don't use the lights, radio, cb, etc.

 

[Keith]

Too many variables to answer that one. But ask Nasvik, he has been down that road before.

 

[Benny]

Why do you ask? Are you gonna drive without an alternator? I wouldnt do it on purpose.

 

[kevin7714]

not fawkin long at all.....when my bro's alternator was shot, the new battery we put in to get home lasted 5-8 miles, no a/c, no radio..sucked ass <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

 

[SeanP]

running your battery down a few times completely will negatively affect how much charge it will hold in the future.

 

[liveaxle]

Originally posted by Toy Benny:
<STRONG>Why do you ask? Are you gonna drive without an alternator? I wouldnt do it on purpose.</STRONG>

I'm having the same problems that I can't seem to get rid of. See my post over at ORC for details. Don't worry, I vow to make it on this trail ride on Saturday.

 

[dirtrod]

It depends on how good the battery is, the ignition won't use much. Throw another battery in as a spare, just in case. Take jumper cables...
I have a back hoe that hasn't had a charging system for 5 years, but I use it all day long for several days at a time without re-charging...also you can swap batterys with another rig and re-charge yours if necessary.

 

[FattyCBR]

It took me about 30 miles to completely wear out my battery. Once I wore it out, I had to be jumped 4 times in 4 miles. IT wasn't fun, it would just conk out if you weren't WOT. My friends were pretty pissed of by the end.

 

[Scout Dude]

Originally posted by SeanP:
<STRONG>running your battery down a few times completely will negatively affect how much charge it will hold in the future.</STRONG>

Depends on the type of battery. Lead-acid, definitely will not hold up. Gel cell doesn't gain a memory...but it takes longer to charge.

 

[Brandon]

Been runnin without an alternator ever since I got my truck runnin with the new motor. Had to switch 4 times on my trip up the hill wheeling but it lasts quite a while! My battery got me from the River at jergins all the way home and I am still runnin it, although I don't drive it much..

 

[Lil'John]

Not sure on a "if I were running nothing but the car" senario.

But, I've done it twice in an S10 Blazer.

One time I made it about 100 miles(Tracy, CA to Gilroy, CA) with headlights for about 30 miles of it.

Another time, I made it from Gilroy to San Deigo(approximately 420 miles after the alt blew) using two batteries in the middle of the night <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> The first battery made it to the industrial LA(BTW, lovely place to change a battery <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">).... this includes a stop for gas which involved starting the car again. The second battery was a red top Optima and made the other 200 or so miles.

 

[pvstoy]

Got a friend with a big van race support truck. The alternator died he fired up the generator, ran a extension to the engine compartment, duct taped a battery charger down and drove home many miles that way. <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

 

[Scout Dude]

Originally posted by pvstoy:
<STRONG>Got a friend with a big van race support truck. The alternator died he fired up the generator, ran a extension to the engine compartment, duct taped a battery charger down and drove home many miles that way. <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

That's a serious ******* fix. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">
There is no way that a "cityfolk" could think of that one

Also, that is another use for Duct tape. What are we up to now? 10,621?

[ 10-25-2001: Message edited by: Scout Dude ]

 

[TEX]

I don't have an alternator in my mud racer, so I always keep good Interstate batteries & I always charge up the morning of the race. Never a problem so far, but my engine doesn't run more than a couple minutes at a time. Don't have enough cooling capacity to run longer than that anyway <IMG SRC="smilies/blush2.gif" border="0">

TEX