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| | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 | Hi y'all
I have all original 1954 3600 farm truck.
My question is once the engine is running do you need battery power for anything or can the generator handle the electrical load of running the engine and a couple of gauges?
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | If your generator is working correctly, your engine will run with a dead battery once started.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,761 | The generator will supply the electrical needs of the engine, but a battery should still be in the circuit to act as a "shock absorber" for voltage spikes. I've seen some systems develop voltage spikes of over 100 volts when a battery is disconnected with the engine running. While this isn't particularly harmful to an older system, anything with solid-state components like a radio or other modern electronics can be damaged in an instant.
NEVER, EVER DISCONNECT A BATTERY CABLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO "TEST" AN ALTERNATOR! Generators, not too bad.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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