Dead battery: can recharging while driving hurt alternator?
#26
WE will see.... I'm trying Jedi's mind trixs to see if I can restore my dead battery again for the 4th or more time.
I don't drive it enough.
Unfortunately I left the trunk open last time.... so this time it truely was discharged all the way. It was a new battery too.
I don't drive it enough.
Unfortunately I left the trunk open last time.... so this time it truely was discharged all the way. It was a new battery too.
#27
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You might want to think about getting a battery maintainer. Will be a lot cheaper in the long run. Ebay has solar maintainers for cheap, plug-in's for cheaper (less convenient than solar though.)
#28
Lubricious
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Bada-bing! Generators have commutators, alternators have slip rings. Remember the old days when part of the drill of fixing a generator included sanding the commutator? (Or, in a machine shop, turning it and re-cutting the isulators.)
Bada-bing! again.
Big difference in brush wear between a generator with output current coming off a commutator, and an alternator with just field current going through slip rings.
Bada-bing! again.
Big difference in brush wear between a generator with output current coming off a commutator, and an alternator with just field current going through slip rings.
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#29
Registered
Ah, so this is why I didn't know about alternator brushes; I never had to fix any. I've resurfaced commutators and replaced those brushes tho. Supplying a couple of amps for the field windings and not riding on a cheese grater -- alternator brushes seem like they have it pretty easy
I'd be more worried about the diodes but hey, I've already displayed my ignorance! ![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
As far as displaying ignorance - HA! You're not even in the game compared to a couple of others in this thread.
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Ken
#30
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Razz: got a battery charger? If not, you can borrow mine.
#31
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Then Mazda is wrong. You generate DC and alternate AC.
Ummmm.... guacamole! Now there's a 'green' solution!!![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Recharging a lead-acid battery is an electro-chemical process which takes time. Therefore a slow recharge is the way to go.
My 8's battery stays on a Battery Tender all winter.
Ummmm.... guacamole! Now there's a 'green' solution!!
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Recharging a lead-acid battery is an electro-chemical process which takes time. Therefore a slow recharge is the way to go.
My 8's battery stays on a Battery Tender all winter.
#32
Rotary Powered Countryboy
LESSON OF THE DAY:
there are brushes on the slipring of the alt....there are wires connected the the "rotor" of the alternator which is the part that spins and makes a magnetic field...the magnetic field is then transfered to the "stator" which sends the output to the battery (of course before the battery) the rectifier bridge converts the AC voltage to DC so it does not damage the battery!!!!
there are brushes on the slipring of the alt....there are wires connected the the "rotor" of the alternator which is the part that spins and makes a magnetic field...the magnetic field is then transfered to the "stator" which sends the output to the battery (of course before the battery) the rectifier bridge converts the AC voltage to DC so it does not damage the battery!!!!
#33
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Not quite; The diodes (or rectifier bridge) are used to essentially block and direct the current. Since batteries need DC current, the diodes become a one-way valve that will only allow current to pass in the same direction.
#34
Rotary Powered Countryboy
^exactly the diodes are a "one way check valve" only let it flow in one direction(DC) was being basic not too much into depth so ppl get confused....easier to say "convert"
#38
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Thread Starter
This is a very interesting discussion, albeit a bit technical. But what's the consensus:
a) Should I replace that battery? It's about 3 years old, and that's the only time it was discharged. That happened in September, and it's been working fine since - even in cold weather.
b) What about the alternator/generator? Replace? Can it be tested for damage? Or should I just leave it be, knowing that it will probably be fine (and that if, someday, it fails, I'll know why).
a) Should I replace that battery? It's about 3 years old, and that's the only time it was discharged. That happened in September, and it's been working fine since - even in cold weather.
b) What about the alternator/generator? Replace? Can it be tested for damage? Or should I just leave it be, knowing that it will probably be fine (and that if, someday, it fails, I'll know why).
#39
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
a) You're fine
b) You're fine
Obviously we who procure the elegant engineering solution that is the rotary engined RX-8 are a cut above on the IQ ladder and tend to be more concerned with all aspects of our 8's operation and maintenance. But there are times when you just have to step back and remind yourself that it was designed for rigorous use and reliability (and the occasional faux pas). Don't sweat it (not that you could sweat is this Coooold!).![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
b) You're fine
Obviously we who procure the elegant engineering solution that is the rotary engined RX-8 are a cut above on the IQ ladder and tend to be more concerned with all aspects of our 8's operation and maintenance. But there are times when you just have to step back and remind yourself that it was designed for rigorous use and reliability (and the occasional faux pas). Don't sweat it (not that you could sweat is this Coooold!).
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
This is a very interesting discussion, albeit a bit technical. But what's the consensus:
a) Should I replace that battery? It's about 3 years old, and that's the only time it was discharged. That happened in September, and it's been working fine since - even in cold weather.
b) What about the alternator/generator? Replace? Can it be tested for damage? Or should I just leave it be, knowing that it will probably be fine (and that if, someday, it fails, I'll know why).
a) Should I replace that battery? It's about 3 years old, and that's the only time it was discharged. That happened in September, and it's been working fine since - even in cold weather.
b) What about the alternator/generator? Replace? Can it be tested for damage? Or should I just leave it be, knowing that it will probably be fine (and that if, someday, it fails, I'll know why).
#40
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#41
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I did consider that. After all, an alternator is just a generator with a rectifier. But again, we did have generators in the early 50's and moved to alternators when ever growing accessory demands also necessitated 12v systems.
I generally prefer engine, but then I'm an engineer.![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
I generally prefer engine, but then I'm an engineer.
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#44
Rotary Powered Countryboy
yeah keep it charged dont' make a habit to recharge from dead all the time it will ruin the battery not the alternator!!!! As for NYCGPS by increasing the windings and speeding up the spin of the "rotor" you could get more however just upgrading to a larger one is the only way to go can't really just add wires to it!!! haha
#45
![TN](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tn.jpg)
generators had brushes,,,,,wore out because of high current while charging.....
alternators have Brushes inthe field circuit,,,, using low voltage,,,,,
low current (generally 1 to 5 volts) the more voltage on field,,,,the more output of alternator...
hopes this helps , in general
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