Bob,
In "dumb parts guy parlance" (that's me!).... it'll cause a voltage
spike
and that crackling sound you hear is the diodes blowing-up.
For an EXCELLENT treatise on the subject of alternators, I can't
recommend
highly enough the Vintage Triumph Register maintenance pages at
www.vtr.org/maintain/alternator-overview.html by Dan Masters and
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/alternator-repair.html by Charlie Brown. Both
of whom should be credited with a lucid and relevant discussion. Note also
in these 2 pages the description of the "glowing charge light"... an oft
broached topic on this list. And looking around you'll find some generator
to alternator conversion advise.
I hope you find this helpful. If you've not visited this site before,
enjoy, and consider the recommendation a present from me.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Peter C
----
At 09:16 AM 12/23/1999 , you wrote:
>Why does disconnecting the battery with the car running destroy an
>alternator but not a generator? Enquiring minds want to know.
>
>Bob
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