The modern vehicle is equipped by the numerous consumers such as servomotors, heaters, power steering as well as the electronic control systems of the suspension system and brake system. Thus, a car requires much power. The only power generator, alternator, has to supply it in full and continuously.
If the alternator fails, how long will the battery, that is not recharged, power a running car? There’s no definite answer to this question. There's quite a lot of conditions that influence the result:
- is it a passenger car or a commercial vehicle?
- what engine is installed: petrol or diesel?
- climate conditions: is it summer or winter?
- a vehicle system, in particular, the number of the units that consume the electric power.
If the alternator doesn’t charge the battery, the car can still keep moving. For example, the alternators in some cars stop generating the power at the intensive acceleration to lower the engine load and enable the intensive acceleration. You must keep in mind that it’s special cases forecasted by the developers. Besides, it’s clear that if the alternator stops operating, it’s only the battery that provides the power which is limited in it.
The main battery characteristics – its capacity. Besides, there’s a battery parameter – reserve capacity that is commonly specified in minutes. This parameter indicates how long the non-faulty and charged battery can generate the current 25A until its voltage drops to 10.5V. If the reserve capacity is not indicated on the battery, you can calculate it referring to the capacity. For example, if the battery capacity is 65 A-h, the operation time (reserve capacity) will be around 100-120 minutes.
It comes that a car with a failed alternator can run for two hours. Regarding the distance, it’s hard to estimate it, it would depend on the traffic.
There’s one more thing that needs your attention. If the alternator doesn’t operate due to the drive belt breakage, it’s better stop driving because some engines drive not only the alternator but also the engine cooling system pump by the same belt. And if you keep driving, the engine may overheat and fail.
To eliminate all these troubles, a car owner should take care of the car condition, regularly maintain it including all the important elements and systems.
Equipment for alternator diagnostics
MSGEquipmentofferstheequipmentlineforalternatorandstarterdiagnostics. It provides the full range of the tests such as:
- express diagnostics without unit dismounting from a car (testers MS016, MS015 COM, MS013 COM);
- full diagnostics of the dismounted unit at the test benches: MS005, MS008, MS006 COM, MS002 COM, MS004 COM;
- diagnostics of alternator assemblies (testers MS012 COM, MS014, MS021).
Know more about the equipment for the alternator and starter diagnostics on the website or contact us.
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