Strange Question
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland, IL
Re: Strange Question (lucasbkellner)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lucasbkellner »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is the maximum length of time an engine could run without an alternator? Running off just the battery?
Just curious...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've driven 60 miles on battery alone. Car was REALLY struggling. Driving in the dark on 55 MPH 2-lane highways with no lights SUCKS!!!!! Probably coulda gone another 10-20 miles but if I would have stopped the motor, it never would have started.
I loved that old 84 prelude...
Oh, I also drove a 97 Cavalier for about 45 minutes in stop&go traffic with no alternator. Sucked ***! hot as hell, no A/C no radio, and I used the e-brake to keep the brake lights from staying on all the time.
-Chris
Just curious...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've driven 60 miles on battery alone. Car was REALLY struggling. Driving in the dark on 55 MPH 2-lane highways with no lights SUCKS!!!!! Probably coulda gone another 10-20 miles but if I would have stopped the motor, it never would have started.
I loved that old 84 prelude...
Oh, I also drove a 97 Cavalier for about 45 minutes in stop&go traffic with no alternator. Sucked ***! hot as hell, no A/C no radio, and I used the e-brake to keep the brake lights from staying on all the time.
-Chris
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 136
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From: Tujunga, ca, USA
Re: Strange Question (ccfries)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ccfries »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I've driven 60 miles on battery alone. Car was REALLY struggling. Driving in the dark on 55 MPH 2-lane highways with no lights SUCKS!!!!! Probably coulda gone another 10-20 miles but if I would have stopped the motor, it never would have started.
I loved that old 84 prelude...
Oh, I also drove a 97 Cavalier for about 45 minutes in stop&go traffic with no alternator. Sucked ***! hot as hell, no A/C no radio, and I used the e-brake to keep the brake lights from staying on all the time.
-Chris</TD></TR></TABLE>
Whoa, freak out man. I thought the car would die immediately. Now when you say "battery alone" and "no alternator" do you mean that the alternator was dying but still in the car? Or do you mean that the alternator was physically not turning and the battery was powering the car on its own.
I've driven 60 miles on battery alone. Car was REALLY struggling. Driving in the dark on 55 MPH 2-lane highways with no lights SUCKS!!!!! Probably coulda gone another 10-20 miles but if I would have stopped the motor, it never would have started.
I loved that old 84 prelude...
Oh, I also drove a 97 Cavalier for about 45 minutes in stop&go traffic with no alternator. Sucked ***! hot as hell, no A/C no radio, and I used the e-brake to keep the brake lights from staying on all the time.
-Chris</TD></TR></TABLE>
Whoa, freak out man. I thought the car would die immediately. Now when you say "battery alone" and "no alternator" do you mean that the alternator was dying but still in the car? Or do you mean that the alternator was physically not turning and the battery was powering the car on its own.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland, IL
Re: Strange Question (lucasbkellner)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lucasbkellner »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Whoa, freak out man. I thought the car would die immediately. Now when you say "battery alone" and "no alternator" do you mean that the alternator was dying but still in the car? Or do you mean that the alternator was physically not turning and the battery was powering the car on its own.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I mean, how much current do the computer, ignition, fuel injectors, fuel pump REALLY draw? Maybe 10-30 amps together at most? A car battery can put out 30 amps for a while.
Example 1) '84 prelude with an seized alternator. Alternator belt screeching. Carburated, probably not so much current draw.
Example 2) '97 Cavalier Z24, underdrive pulley SNAPPED, no belt to alternator at all. Fuel injected, etc.. so it was probably drawing more current.
Whoa, freak out man. I thought the car would die immediately. Now when you say "battery alone" and "no alternator" do you mean that the alternator was dying but still in the car? Or do you mean that the alternator was physically not turning and the battery was powering the car on its own.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I mean, how much current do the computer, ignition, fuel injectors, fuel pump REALLY draw? Maybe 10-30 amps together at most? A car battery can put out 30 amps for a while.
Example 1) '84 prelude with an seized alternator. Alternator belt screeching. Carburated, probably not so much current draw.
Example 2) '97 Cavalier Z24, underdrive pulley SNAPPED, no belt to alternator at all. Fuel injected, etc.. so it was probably drawing more current.
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