> The battery acts like a big capacitor. It will stabilize the voltage in the
> system which is especially critical when loads are switching on and off. The
> voltage spikes can cause collateral damage. But running an alternator not
> connected to anything won't harm the alternator.
Unless of course the voltage spikes go high enough to ruin the diodes, or the
regulator.
BTDT ... won't run an alternator without a battery again. BTW, when it fries
the regulator, the voltage can potentially go high enough to be lethal.
Randall
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