The Ford Barn - View Single Post - OT: "An Alternator is a Battery Maintainer, -NOT a Battery Charger."

rotorwrench · 05-13-2020, 05:55 PM

It all just sounds like semantics to me. By the original meaning of the words, the alternator charging system does both since the definitions are not that far apart. The alternator will give the battery charge which is technically maintaining the battery for use.

"Maintainer" implies that something is being maintained. Since many modern batteries can not be serviced externally, the only way to maintain them is to use them regularly so that the can both give energy and receive energy to keep the internal plates in good serviceable condition. The old wet cell batteries can be maintained by adding water when low and checking them for state of charge with a hydrometer now and then. Those actions make the operator or mechanic the maintainer of the wet cell lead acid batteries. The AGM batteries need the electronic charger/discharger units to maintain them if they set too long. All batteries like to be used regularly to make them last better.

Most manufacturer's will only honor one warranty exchange. Not too many will do better than that but if it's a good product, it won't need any warranty.

05-13-2020, 05:55 PM	#17
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: OT: "An Alternator is a Battery Maintainer, -NOT a Battery Charger." It all just sounds like semantics to me. By the original meaning of the words, the alternator charging system does both since the definitions are not that far apart. The alternator will give the battery charge which is technically maintaining the battery for use. "Maintainer" implies that something is being maintained. Since many modern batteries can not be serviced externally, the only way to maintain them is to use them regularly so that the can both give energy and receive energy to keep the internal plates in good serviceable condition. The old wet cell batteries can be maintained by adding water when low and checking them for state of charge with a hydrometer now and then. Those actions make the operator or mechanic the maintainer of the wet cell lead acid batteries. The AGM batteries need the electronic charger/discharger units to maintain them if they set too long. All batteries like to be used regularly to make them last better. Most manufacturer's will only honor one warranty exchange. Not too many will do better than that but if it's a good product, it won't need any warranty.