How long will my car battery last fully charged without a working alternator?

The car battery was bought this year and is confirmed good. I was thinking of just buying a battery charger and just charging it everyday at my house and just drive short distances INSTEAD of buying a new alternator. Its a 1984 Volvo Diesel.Question #2 Please answer this too...If my battery died and I got a jump and it started but died after a few seconds its my alternator right? Is there anything else it could be?|||Believe me, you'd be far ahead of the game if you replaced the alternator. Although a diesel doesn't have an electronic ignition system to use amperage from the battery, too many other electric systems on the car do. The heater blower motor, headlights, fuel pump, rear window defroster, windshield wipers, electric radiator fan if the car has one, dash, interior and radio all use a huge amount of battery amperage. That all will kill a battery without a charging alternator.





If your diesel motor stopped running with no obvious drain on the electrical system take a voltage check of the battery with an inexpensive hand held volt meter. A fully charged new battery will test 12.85 volts. Diesel fuel filter/s should be changed yearly.|||It probably is your alternator. But you should have the battery checked just to be safe.





Using a battery like you are proposing will ruin the battery sooner than the way it is designed to be used. pretty soon you will end up replacing the battery, still have a bad alternator and be out the cost of a charger.





Bite the bullet and replace the alternator. A rebuilt on should not cost that much, and you can replace it yourself for free.|||OR it could be a bad battery...the charger idea is crazy..a Diesel needs good voltage and you will end up on side of road waiting for the 150 dollar wrecker to tow you to a garage where you will end up getting whatever is wrong fixed,,,jump it drive to your mechanic,,pay the man|||The battery itself is probably dead. Also check for corrosion around where the cables connect to the battery. Jiggle those cords around.