Guys, our battery has been struggling for a while. It doesn't seem to hold a charge for very long. If we drive the car once or twice a week then things are fine. However, it goes dead after 2-3 weeks of not driving it. Then we have to charge it up using a mains charger for a few hours.

Can this cause undue strain or anything on the alternator eventually leading to it burning out or dying?

Many thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

Have you tried just replacing the battery?

 

I'm no expert but, the I've had a few problems with batteries. Just the other day I borrowed a ton truck from a friend and the battery was dead, after setting all winter. I jumped it off and figured it would charge up after running but it didn't. After it died on me, in the most inopportune place, I checked the water in the battery and there was none. Once I filled it, had no problems after that. (check the water!).

Also, I've learned that these cheap batteries you get at the parts stores are not good on computer controlled vehicles. Something about the cell walls being too thin or whatever. Anyway, some of these batteries will eat alternators like candy because they won't hold a charge therefore overworking the alts.
(Am I full of crap or what?)

 

yeah it bad battery could casue an alternator to full field and burn it's self up, but that doesn't sound like your problem, you need a battery