Golden Jubilee
Posts: 5211
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:28 pm
Location: Lyman, IA
Re: 12 volt
I have stated my opinion on the 6 vs 12 volt argument and will not add to it here.
Generators have some advantages over alternators, and visa versa.
As long as the battery is connected it will dampen any voltage spike. Nothing puts a bigger spike then an ign coil, and we have been useing them for years with all kinds of electronics without failure.
Disconnecting a battery from a running vehicle will cause damage, how much depends on a lot of factors, it can vary from almost nothing to complete failure.
Alternators are cheap and provide more current both at idle and speed, but generators can start chargeing from nothing and can put out their rated current at 100% duty cycle as opposed to most alternators which are closer to 30% duty (100 amp alt should only be called on for 33 amps continuous) for long life.