On Sat, 09 Sep 2006 06:16:01 -0400, Larry wrote:

If it has diode rectifiers that convert AC to DC, it can be damaged by
switching batteries.


How do you think that would happen? The stator windings limit current and
the rectifier is rated much higher than they can produce. There's no
reverse voltage over 14V so that's not a threat to a rectifier, either.....

That's contrary to my experience and that of *many* others. If you
momentarily remove the load on the alternator, a voltage transient is
created that exceeds the PIV rating of the diodes and they fail faster
than you can talk about it. It happens all the time.