Quote:
Originally Posted by stevesnj
An alternator is not the way to charge a battery since it will not properly charge a battery even if you drove around for hours.
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This is not entirely true.
It IS true that you should not allow your alternator to recharge a completely dead battery as this can stress the alternator.
However, if the battery was "just a little too low to start the car" (but it still cranked), then it is perfectly OK to jumpstart the car then recharge the battery using the car's alternator by driving for a few hours.
It is NOT ok to Jump-start a car with a
completely dead battery and THEN let the car recharge the dead battery.
In that case it is best to put the battery on a low current charge and leave it for 24-48 hours (disconnected from the car is best)
Walmart sells a $20 maintenance charger that seems to work well for long term storage but they typically will NOT recharge a dead battery.