It's been a long time since I have thought on this - but I seem to
recall that a strong charge from the battery(or jumper battery) is
required to activate the field of the Alternator or the thing won't
charge, even if it is turning. If your battery is strong enough to turn
your starter motor - which takes a whopping amount of amps to turn
against the load of the engine - it should be charged sufficiently to
activate the field.

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 4/24/2010 11:41 AM, Bill MacLachlan wrote:
> 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
>
>
>