As soon as I start my car, I pull up TEST 09, and while I drive I keep one eye on the road and one eye on my voltmeter.

I think my alternator is dying, but I'm also a little short on cash. Well, saying that I'm "a little short on cash" is like saying Mel Gibson only gets drunk once a year to celebrate Yom Kippur.

Anyway, until I have the money for a new alternator, I have continued to drive my car under the really bad advice of my friend. Yesterday, he talked me into borrowing his battery charge and plugging in my car whenever I'm not driving it.

So today, after an evening of charging, I set out to run some errands. I started at 14 volts, and after going to the gym, the post office, my chiropractor, the bank, and the cable company I made it home with about 11.9 volts.

Not too bad. Maybe I just won't buy a new alternator. Maybe I'll just plug in my car wherever I go. :(

I did that in my younger years with a 77 Buick that had a dying alternator.

Until the battery exploded for being over charged in the middle of the night.

You can do it, just be careful.

Sounds like you need a battery tender, not a battery charger.......