Automotive Charging Systems - A Short Course on How They Work | CarParts.com
I would like some clarification on this specific topic then.
Documentations I have read always mention that alternators (I assume especially the current car designs) have regulators as all alternators run Alternating Current.
Now, there is a likelihood that the regulator "could fail". But even the documentation here says that if that is the case, lights on the dashboard would shop up indicating such an issue.
So, based on that, my understanding it, don't do it if your car is showing other issues and not just a "dead battery" that needs swapping out. Since current AT/CVT batteries are the maintenance free types, once signs of hard-starting are showing (meaning the car can still turnover) I usually buy new batteries already to change it out.
Thoughts?
EDIT:
1) please consider that all other electrical components are turned off when I'm doing the swap with the car running. A/C, Lights and radio/Head Unit are turned off. No revving of the car engine during the "swap" to a new battery
2) By doing #1, I am not introducing any unnecessary load to the electrical system during the swap. Just need to car to idle "low"
3) the car does not present any other issue when it was in use prior to the "Swap"
4) During the "swap", I will keep presence of mind to keep the battery terminals/wires (positive and negative) completely isolated and separate, and not contact with any other metallic component of the vehicle or tools that could cause a completion of the circuit (other than when they connect with the new battery)