Can I use my alternator to recharge a discharged battery?
No! When installing an alternator, the battery should be fully recharged before vehicle use. In many cases, depending upon how thoroughly discharged the battery is, it can take 4-8 hours. Most technicians and DIYers don't want to wait that long so they just get the vehicle running, and figure that by driving the car around the alternator will charge the battery.
In some cases with weather extremes the battery never gets fully charged, and in all cases the alternator is being overly stressed asking it to do a job it was not designed to do. This leads to premature failure.
In some cases with weather extremes the battery never gets fully charged, and in all cases the alternator is being overly stressed asking it to do a job it was not designed to do. This leads to premature failure.
These repair tips are provided by Smitty's Auto Service, however we accept no responsibility for repairs you make via these tech tips as they may not be appropriate for your vehicle, so use them at your own risk. Please seek advice from a professional mechanic for all repair problems or contact Smitty's Auto Service for more information: (352) 367-3776 8 am-5 pm Mon-Fri EST