Getting rid of alternator?

[Fuss]

Originally Posted by Compass790

I'm no electrical expert but I doubt that you will burn anything out as an unloaded alternator does not get hot.

Also I have done this as had a 2 alternator setup with one as a spare with no belt & when called into use it worked fine. Can't remember it being even warm when not in use.

If you were worried about it you could pull the field wire off though but good point about waste of energy energising the field.

Got a timeframe for burnout?

true, my comment was a little over the top but it will use battery power the whole time the engine is running ... my alternator needs 80 watts to power the field coils.... the op cares so much about diesel conservation and then wastes energy powering unused alternators.