No problem at all if a master relay is installed, but otherwise the
Rotax regulator is a total open circuit and isolates the alternator
---From the battery, a charger, or maybe nuclear-bomb EMP. Were the
regulator to short, it and the alternator are further fuse/breaker
protected.
In modern cars, a hazard exists where a battery terminal is so
corroded, or the batt fails with high resistance, a charger may send
bad high voltage on several systems. But if the battery and
connections are good, the battery will clamp the volts to a very safe
level. Not knowing the charger you're using, auto mfrs tend to say
disconnect; charger mfrs who know their product (e.g., 14.4V
constant-voltage charger) may say no.
There are "trickle" chargers that pulse current into the battery, with
pulse repetition shown on an LED. Slows to near zero pulse rate on
full charge, and unlike many cheapo tricklers, can be left connected
forever. Also alleviates any alternator concern.
Regards,
Fred F.
MJKTuck@cs.com wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> Here's an easy one for all you electric wizards out there. I usually take off
> the top cowling when I want to charge my battery - a couple of times each
> winter and leave it on overnight. To charge I disconnect the battery from
> everything as I think I was once told to do this - at least for my car...
> something to do with damaging the alternator.
>
> Do I have to do this? If not then I can just have a couple of leads
> permanently attached and the charger on a timer such that I can automatically
> have the battery charging for an hour or so a day just to keep it topped up
> without having to remove the cowling - and go down the hanger the night
> before I want to go flying.
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