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Old 05-15-2007, 10:10 PM
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Old300D Old300D is offline
Biodiesel Fiend
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Denver, CO
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babymog View Post
If the battery is dead, there will be no power to excite the alternator, so it cannot create electricity.

True that the gassers can be push/pull started with the rear-pump transmissions, but you do need electricity to make it happen. with the diesels, you just need the shutoff lever up. With the diesel also however, you need electricity to excite the alternator so that it will charge, so a little battery power will be necessary.
No, an alternator will always generate current, even into a completely discharged battery. It may current limit, and that can damage the alternator, but the alternator does not need a battery to operate.
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