Battery cable came off!
12-11-2006 | 08:16 PM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:16 PM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:16 PM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:Xns989685880ECE2tegger@207.14.116.130:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>> sharx333 wrote:
>>> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>> hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>> cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>> it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all
>>> the stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>> You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>> lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>> alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>> and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be
> spikes.
>
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses. Connecting the cables together without the
> battery in between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done. You
> could to that n 1976, but not now.
>
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>>
>> Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>> Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>> power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>> only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
> See the above link.
>
>
>
To clarify;the alternator generates AC voltage which is rectified to
pulsating DC,and the ONLY thing that smooths it to reasonably pure DC is
the battery. Otherwise,your car radio would be buzzing in tune with the
engine RPM.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:22 PM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:22 PM
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:22 PM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-11-2006 | 08:22 PM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:eNidnUXxjMR6YuDYnZ2dnUVZ_vamnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165860667.015764.119790@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm happy to be wrong on this one, Matt. Thanks, guys. *Whew*.
>>
>> Mike: Lightning strikes, really? Wow.
>>
>
> Yep - mostly mountaintop sites, two or three a year since I moved to the
> mountains. For some reason the storms prefer holidays and my anniversary!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
Try Central Florida,the lightning capital of the US.
Also,the power density of Florida strikes are on average twice that of
northern lightning strikes.
I've had a pine tree about 300 ft from my apartment(tallest in the area)
get struck(and killed) while I was watching. The bolt travelled right down
the side,blowing a channel of bark off the tree. It took out a surge
protector on my phone line and my modem,didn't harm the phones or the
TeleZapper.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
12-12-2006 | 08:04 PM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
The battery does as Jim said. But another condition called load dump
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
12-12-2006 | 08:04 PM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
The battery does as Jim said. But another condition called load dump
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
12-12-2006 | 08:04 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
The battery does as Jim said. But another condition called load dump
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
12-12-2006 | 08:04 PM
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
The battery does as Jim said. But another condition called load dump
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
could have created a destructive transient. Load dump is defined by
the ISO to be as large as 270 volts on the 12 volt system. SGS
Thompson defines it as 80 to 100 volts. But then better automobiles
are designed with electronics that make load dump not destructive.
Of course when you connect a computer to the car using a discount
inverter, does it have load dump protection - or did you just save some
pennies?
The damage, if it occurred, would be complete in milliseconds.
Apparently you did not suffer load dump damage. But you, like many
others who replied here, should know of load dump and what automotive
electronics (properly constructed) cost more money.
sharx333 wrote:
> Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
> the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
> and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I hurriedly
> shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery cable had come
> off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected it, restarted and
> found everything working fine, even checked all the stereo functions,
> LEDs, and the ECU.
>
> I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
> voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
> but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
12-13-2006 | 11:56 PM
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger wrote:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
12-13-2006 | 11:56 PM
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger wrote:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
12-13-2006 | 11:56 PM
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger wrote:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
12-13-2006 | 11:56 PM
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Battery cable came off!
Tegger wrote:
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> newsvefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:
>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.
> Matt Ion <soundy106@gmail.com> wrote in
> news
vefh.470560$R63.142904@pd7urf1no:>
>
>>sharx333 wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, was checking my '95 Civic 1.6L today. It was idling, and I heard
>>>the idle sound change: it seemed higher. I stepped on the gas a bit,
>>>and I heard a soft electrical "pop" near the stereo panel. I
>>>hurriedly shut down the engine, I found that the negative battery
>>>cable had come off! (It had a quick-release connection). I connected
>>>it, restarted and found everything working fine, even checked all the
>>>stereo functions, LEDs, and the ECU.
>>>
>>>I've read that the battery acts as a big capacitor to smooth out
>>>voltage spikes. The entire episode didn't take more that 10 seconds,
>>>but I'm worried... could there be any permanent damage?
>>
>>You read wrong. The battery reacts too slowly to absorb spikes, it
>>lives at 12V versus your alternator's typical 13.5-14.5V, your
>>alternator wouldn't produce a spike unless it failed spectacularly,
>>and having the terminal come off wouldn't cause a spike either.
>
>
>
>
> It absolutely would. Damage may not always occur, but there will be spikes.
Fair enough - a SIGNIFICANT spike.
> The battery's secondary function IS to provide a buffer for the
> alternator's pulses.
And pray, how does it do that? It's not a voltage regulator, it's not a
capacitor. Internal resistance limits how quickly it can react to voltage
changes.
> Connecting the cables together without the battery in
> between is dangerous to the car and should NOT be done.
You mean the battery cables? Yeah, that'll fry your alternator in a hurry,
since you're basically shorting its output.
> You could to that n 1976, but not now.
I wouldn't even try it in a '76.
> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq2.htm
>
>
>
>>Ultimately, cars have batteries for one purpose: starting the engine.
>>Once the engine is running, the alternator provides for all the car's
>>power requirements.
>> Yes, batteries are also used to power accessories when the car is
>> off, but the
>>only reason they're there in the first place is to crank the starter.
>>
>
>
>
> See the above link.
See the phrase "IN THE FIRST PLACE" in my above paragraph.
Of the four uses Darden lists for the battery, I've already noted the first and
fourth above... for the second ("filter and stabilize") it can only do so much -
there's still ripple in the voltage measured even with the battery, as the
charging voltage is usually well above the battery's voltage... as for the
third, if the battery is really needing to "provide extra power" while running,
then the charging system is under-rated to begin with, and the battery is acting
as a band-aid.