Date:         8 Oct 1996 21:46:13 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Harvey Chao" <Harvey_Chao@smtp.svl.trw.com>
Subject:      Re:  Re- Cutting out

                      RE>> Re- Cutting out                         10/8/96

I got the following reply to my admonition not to disconnect the battery when
the engine is running, actually, I think Henry has said it rather well himself
and I would not presume to attempt to "improve" on it -- don't do this unless
all of you out there are ready to replace a whole bunch of electronic stuff,
ya know, like radios, cd players, electronic ignition modules, engine control
modules, or anything potentially [sorry, couldn't resist the puns    :-) ]
else that happens to be "on" and connected to the battery system at the time!


Apologies to Henry for publishing his private reply  w/o advance permission.

Harvey

--------------------------------------
Date: 10/8/96 8:07 PM
To: Harvey Chao
>From: Henry J. Lesovsky
You wrote: 
snip

>Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running(specifically 
>while the alternator is alternatiing) is a VERY   unhealthy thing 
>to do to your alternator - potentially fatal to the alternator. 
>"Kids - Do not attempt this in your car "
>
snip
Harvey, you and I know that without a reference voltage from the 
battery, the generator/alternator has no control. The overvoltage 
condition will burn out lights and accessories but the naive know 
only that "motor still runs - 'can't be all that bad".  It would 
help if you could explain in simple terms, the result of the 
misdeed.

Lessie in Alhambra, CA .-)