Title, why can we drive for hours and hours on end, with headlights, radio, a/c, etc. (besides stopping for gas, bathroom breaks) But when we leave a light on for as much as an hour, the car battery will pretty much die instantly.
In: Engineering
The alternator!
While the motor is running, the alternator is also on the move, producing an electrical current that keeps the battery charged up.
Once you turn off the motor, the alternator stops producing that extra charge, and the battery can run out of power.
This is also why jump starting works. It provides enough power for the battery to start the motor, then the alternator will be able to keep the battery powered up.
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