Really Long Car Battery Jump-Starting Instructions (was: "RE: Inflammable vs. flammable")

[Jay Maechtlen]

Andrew Warren wrote:
> Tariel, Lauren R wrote:
> 

> 
>     To avoid damage to the good car's alternator, DON'T try to start
>     the bad car while the good car's engine is running -- the diodes
>     in the good car's expensive alternator can easily be destroyed
>     by the high current required by the bad car's starter motor.

I don't think so!
The windings of the alternator will not produce enough current to damage
the diodes. If the alternator faces an open circuit, it can create
enough voltage to damage the diodes, but the battery prevents that.
Also, the regulator is built into the alternator in most cases, so it
would probably prevent damage anyway.

One other reason for the suggested connection, though"
When the starting attempt is made, the current is coming 'from' the good
battery, so the connections are there.
The current is going 'to' the starter of the other car. The starter is
grounded to the engine block, so it may be a more direct return via the
cable on the engine rather than the block, then the battery cable.
cheers
Jay

-- 
Jay Maechtlen
techpubs at covad.net
626 444-5112 office
626 840-8875 cell