Installing the alternator on a car with a low battery just means the
alternator has to work hard to charge the battery. But this is no different
than if you left your headlights on, had to jump start the car and then
drove until the alternator charged the battery. The alternator is supposed
to do this anyway.

Now some electronics geek (like me) will probably say that the brushes need
to seat before you pull a full load off the alternator. They will be seated
well enough and no harm will be done.

Tom
www.kegkits.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Bill MacLachlan
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 11:41 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: alternator installation

Hi all
List wisdom & experience needed:
I'm installing a new alternator.
Label on the new alternator says have the battery fully charged before
hooking up the alternator.
My battery is low.
How critical is the warning?
Do I have to dig out the trickle charger and recharge the battery first?

thanks

Bill M
82 GL I4