This is easy - you can determine the functionality of the alternator in less than 5-minutes. With the engine off, using a volt meter switched to measure DC current, place the red lead against the positive battery terminal/post and the black lead against the negative battery terminal/post and test the voltage. A good battery should measure around 12-volts (a good battery has a range of slightly lower to slightly higher than 12-volts). If you get within this range you have a properly charged battery and can then move to the next step and test the alternator.
Turn the engine on and again place the red lead against the positive battery terminal/post and the black lead against the negative battery terminal/post and test the voltage. The alternator is designed to generate enough voltage to replace the 12-volts of power being used by the vehicle's electrical system and charge the battery at the same time. Therefore, a properly working alternator will push about 14-volts of electricity into the system (a properly functioning alternator will generate a range of slightly lower to slightly higher than 14-volts).
If the system is generating around 14-volts with the engine running, then you can reasonably conclude that the alternator is working properly.
If you you are having battery charging problems (will not hold a charge) and the system is pushing around 14-volts with the engine running, you can then reasonably conclude that the battery needs replacing. If the system is producing less than the normal range of about 14-volts, you may need to replace the alternator. Keep in mind that a good battery may go bad if it is repeatedly used in a system in which the alternator is not working properly. If the systems tests within the normal range of 14-volts while the engine is running, replace only the alternator first and see if the battery then holds a charge. If it doesn't, then you will need to replace the battery also.
A storm has nothing to do with the battery going dead.
yes
If the battery is dead the alarm will not go off
You should never drive a car around for long after jump starting a dead battery. This puts an enormous strain on the alternator. Alternators are designed to keep a good battery charged, not to charge a dead battery. You can easily burn out a diode in the alternator. Jump start the engine and drive it somewhere and connect a battery charger to the battery and charge it fully.
Battery has a dead cell, need to replace battery
below its desired voltage
Over and over as long as the donor car is running. How many times is hard to tell.
A storm has nothing to do with the battery going dead.
That would tell me that your battery is not dead because you do not need the car turned on for your brake lights to operate
No, this will place a very heavy load on the alternator of the car and may result in burning out the diodes of the car charging the battery. You could easily ruin the alternator. Purchase a battery charger and charge the dead battery with that. Alternators are not made to charge dead batteries.
Get a donor car and use it's battery to start your car. You will need a set of quality jumper cables. Or you can charge the dead battery on the car for about 2 hours with a good 10 amp battery charger.
A completely dead battery or a bad connection to the battery.
Jump the car from another car battery or hook a charger to the battery.
Your car won't turn on.
The Car Coach - 2011 Dealing with a Dead Car Battery was released on: USA: 8 February 2011
If it has a dead cell the battery will not hold a charge and must be replaced.
Fully charge the battery with a slow charge battery charger. Then take the battery to an auto parts store and have it tested. If it is over 4 years old it is probably in need of replacement.