How far on a battery alone without Alternator?

[Dean]

On a fully charged battery, do you think its possible to make it 20 miles without a working alternator?
I have to get the baby to a repairer, but the only one I trust is 20 miles from me currently, and the insurance company wont tow that far.

[colm_mcm]

Given how small the FTO battery is, I don't think you'll make it that far.

[Muad_dib77]

Definately depends on the size of your battery..

on a standard FTO/MiCra battery you'd prolly not make it 20mls..

[Dean]

Its a bigger battery than the standard one.

[Dean]

Now is there major problems using a too big battery?

If so I am going to punch yer one in Halfords.

It was the only battery with the correct size poles, although the stats were different than the original battery. I was told that it did not matter.

[CJ]

You can use a battery with a bigger rating than standard but you will have to change the battery clamps. Personally, I use a 75AH battery, assuming you turn off all electics, you might just get 20mins out of it. If you have the old battery, charge it up and stick it in the boot just in case.

CJ

[Dean]

Ok, just connected my newly charged battery, started fine, lifted off the negative pole and car is still running ok, so its not the alternator.

I want to scream. I cant figure out what the damn problem is.

[kevinod]

Is the guy who does the alternators an auto electrician too?

[Dean]

Ok there is nothing wrong with the electrics, auto electrician looked at for me.

I feel like an idiot. I know what I got caught by...yet again.

When the battery goes dead, the car takes about 20 mins to get its electrics into gear, you can get things like it cutting out if you turn the steering wheel or pressing the brake pedal, after all that is over its runs perfectly again. I must have left a light on or something and never let it charge back up enough after the jump start.

Grrr, Rory do you want the alternator back?, its not even out of the box