Does a weak starter battery plague your generator?
 

And another one from a German R230 forum.

Someone argues that a starter battery that is on the way out (dying) is a known cause for our generator to die. Would be a good reason not to wait for your starter battery to really die.
I guess the drawn current goes up as the voltage drops, while cranking? Or is it fake news, phrasing it in modern fashion?

And corroded earth points have been the cause for many a electronic gremlin in Mercedistan, notably L+R in the trunk and behind the driver’s side xenon head light.

*back to the studio*

yes if you have a dead cell in battery you can damage alternator.... rare it happens as usually your car does not start so you end up getting new battery so one does not run car very long with dead cell.

I disagree primarily due to the fact that the alternator does not charge the starter battery directly.

Then what does?

The vehicle power supply control module (N82/1 in the documentation) charges the starter battery under the hood. The alternator charges the consumer battery in the trunk.