Topic: Do cars need a battery to run?
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18375
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
They just need a batter to turn the starter which kicks over the engine, right? But once the engine is going, the battery is no longer needed. Right?
-Adam Wartell
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well....sometimes.
Older cars, with no electronics(electronic fuel injection, etc.) can get by for a little while. The engine will run off of the alternator, assuming the alternator is working. Add in the headlights, stereo, wipers, A/C, etc., and you'll overwork the alternator, and you'll wind up stranded anyway. This is only true of vehicles with an alternator. A car with a generator will NOT run with the battery disconnected. A generator will not produce voltage without a voltage input(battery). An alternator creates it's own voltage.
The old "test" of disconnecting the battery to see if the alternator is working will tell you if it is, but it's not good to do that...the power surge can damage the regulator. If you do that on a later model car, with any electronics, you can damage just about every electronic module(computer) in it.
Cars were designed to run on 12.5 volts, which is provided by the battery...the alternator's job is to keep that battery charged.
Diesels(older ones) can run forever with no battery, once started, since they have no electrics working the engine....no ignition, that is.
Short answer, yes, the engine will run once started, if the alternator is working.
btw....a manual trans car will NOT start by pushing if the battery is dead/missing...you still need electricity to power the ignition system at least until it starts....
|UPDATED|5/25/2012 6:10:42 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Older cars, with no electronics(electronic fuel injection, etc.) can get by for a little while. The engine will run off of the alternator, assuming the alternator is working. Add in the headlights, stereo, wipers, A/C, etc., and you'll overwork the alternator, and you'll wind up stranded anyway. This is only true of vehicles with an alternator. A car with a generator will NOT run with the battery disconnected. A generator will not produce voltage without a voltage input(battery). An alternator creates it's own voltage.
The old "test" of disconnecting the battery to see if the alternator is working will tell you if it is, but it's not good to do that...the power surge can damage the regulator. If you do that on a later model car, with any electronics, you can damage just about every electronic module(computer) in it.
Cars were designed to run on 12.5 volts, which is provided by the battery...the alternator's job is to keep that battery charged.
Diesels(older ones) can run forever with no battery, once started, since they have no electrics working the engine....no ignition, that is.
Short answer, yes, the engine will run once started, if the alternator is working.
btw....a manual trans car will NOT start by pushing if the battery is dead/missing...you still need electricity to power the ignition system at least until it starts....
|UPDATED|5/25/2012 6:10:42 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
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That's why we keep you around, Joel! You da man! (the answer man, that is)
Barry
The new electric cars need a battery. Lots of dem.
Did your battery die Adam?
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dwright said: The new electric cars need a battery. Lots of dem.
Did your battery die Adam?
No. I'm just trying to figure out why cars won't run in the upcoming TV series "Revolution"
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
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My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS.....Mommmmmm.......
ebo
ebo
ebo
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
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ebo said: NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS.....Mommmmmm.......
ebo
eboNo. It isn't gas that is the problem. It is the lack of electricity, according to the ads.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Adam Wartell said:
No. It isn't gas that is the problem. It is the lack of electricity, according to the ads.
ebo said: NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS, NO GAS.....Mommmmmm.......
ebo
eboNo. It isn't gas that is the problem. It is the lack of electricity, according to the ads.
ROFLMAO......and your a TV guy?????
Check out the new Chevrolet commercial where the kids mom is a salesperson and he's doing his homework in the office and asks two male salesmen a question about a math problem....
ebo
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Don't know what show yer talkin aboot, but...is there an EMP(electro-magnetic-pulse) taking place or something? That would pretty much fry any electronics in anything that has them, but I don't know that it would kill batteries.
More poop on this show....what's it about?
More poop on this show....what's it about?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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