Turning master switch off while running.

[Mister Sunday]

Is it bad for my duece to turn the battery switch off while I drive it? I just realized that when I do the fuel tank pump doesn't run, and was wondering if this makes it hard on any of the rest of the fuel delivery system.

 

[frodobaggins]

Not really, but why would you do that ?

 

[Mister Sunday]

To save batteries for start-up. My Alternator is junk, and until I can replace it I am doing this to make sure my batteries last a while longer.

 

[Capt.Marion]

No. The only problem would arise if your fuel lines had a leak, and the IP pump would suck in the air from those leaks. The in-tank pump just provides positive pressure to prevent that from happening.

If your truck runs fine without it, you're all set. I know I just prefer to see my gauges! You should be able to start it and run it at least several times before having to recharge the batteries even if the alternator doesn't charge them. In my opinion, I'd rather have to run the batteries down to about 50% charge and recharge them every so often than drive with no indication of oil pressure or temperature, or turn signals and brake lights.

 

[Mister Sunday]

Don't get me wrong, I still turn it on to check my gauges, and when I need to signal my intent. Most of my moving around is on private property and in very rural areas, so my lights aren't nearly as important. I just can't keep off of it very long before I start itchin'.

 

[Mister Sunday]

I just got back in from dragging all the cable out and respooling it just so it would look a little better. It's terrible, I've never been this way about a vehicle. Good thing I swore to myself I'd never own a 4x4.

 

[gunboy1656]

Only real bad thing I can see from not having it turned on is the low air buzzer. You run out of oil, overheat you will know it. Blow a brake line and have no air, only way you would know then is when you NEED to stop.

 

[Stalwart]

Since your alternator is out, it's fine, but if you had a good alternator I wouldn't do it, a battery acts like a nice spike filter and dampens over-voltage spikes.

 

[The G Man]

Sounds like you need to buy another deuce and get a set of slave cables... Maybe that might help you justify/talk the wifey into it

 

[Capt.Marion]

If anything, keep a CLOSE eye on your air gauge. It fortunately is not reliant upon electricity to operate.

If you're just operating on your property and local and not-busy roads, I suppose that's one thing.

 

[Heavysteven]

Sound like the answer; yes you can run it, BUT there are safety risks, no brake lights, gauges, fuel pump, and no buzzer . I would fix it.....

 

[Mister Sunday]

If I had the money for another deuce, I would've already bought another alternator and probably the tires I want to put on it.

 

[Mister Sunday]

Oh, I plan on fixin' it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to damage anything else in the meantime.

 

[Flea]

I get lights and indicators without my accessory switch being on.

Before you run out and get a new alternator, check the field wire. Mine was broken and fixing the terminal solved my dead alternator. These old ones (some) require a charged input wire to get them to start charging, as opposed to the self-exciting (single-wire) new alternators.

 

[Mister Sunday]

It's not dead. It's pumping out about 100 volts. I was thinking about selling it to someone so I would have some more money to put towards one of those single wire, modern alternator kits that avengeusa sells.

 

[mckeeranger]

I get lights and indicators without my accessory switch being on.

Here too. The lights run independent of the accessory switch.

 

[rchalmers3]

It's not dead. It's pumping out about 100 volts.

An alternator replacement may not be needed. Is the regulator externally mounted?

Rick

 

[steelandcanvas]

I believe the current draw of the gauges is minimal, so the savings of power at the batteries is negligible. Charge the batteries a little more often and have operational gauges.

 

[mikeroot2]

I get lights and indicators without my accessory switch being on.

My lights work without the switch on as well. Gauges turn on with the switch, lights work independant of it.

 

[Mister Sunday]

An alternator replacement may not be needed. Is the regulator externally mounted?

Rick

No, it's the Prestolite with the internal regulator.