In article .com>,
Ricky Spartacus > wrote:
>"Matthew Russotto" > wrote
>> Kaz Kylheku > wrote:
>
>> >You do understand that when you push-start a car, that causes the
>> >alternator to spin, which generates electricity, right?
>
>> You seem to be a little behind. If your battery is actually dead, the
>> alternator doesn't generate electricity when it spins.
>
>For one thing, if an alternator needs power to its field
>coil in order to work then how did the car run without
>the battery?

If you start a car and disconnect the battery, it will remain running
off the alternator. Once it is running the alternator does not need
_external_ power to its field coil. However, note that the battery
does provide some voltage regulation to the whole system, so
electrical devices may behave erratically if you don't have the
battery in there. (seen it myself)
--
There's no such thing as a free lunch, but certain accounting practices can
result in a fully-depreciated one.