What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

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roger56

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I was reading some posts on electrical problems. One post said if you got your battery cables switched around you could blow the rectifier. What is it?
 
Barnacle_Bill

Barnacle_Bill

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

Rectifier is what converts AC from the stator to DC for charging the battery. It may or may not be combined with a regulator.
 
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F_R

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

roger56 said:
I was reading some posts on electrical problems. One post said if you got your battery cables switched around you could blow the rectifier. What is it?
Click to expand...

It is not a matter of "could" blow it. It WILL blow it. You cannot disconnect it fast enough to prevent it from happening.
 
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roger56

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

I do not believe this motor charges the battery It is a 59 johnson with electric start. It has lights and i think an electric choke. This is an old motor with very few extras. So I do not think this is an issue with my situation. My brother did get the cables switched around once but that has been corrected.
 
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boobie

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

On that mtr even if you did get the battery cables switched around the starter mtr would still turn in the same direction.
 
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roger56

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

So my brother is off the hook and did not blow anything up on this unit?
 
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Lone Duck

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

roger56 said:
So my brother is off the hook and did not blow anything up on this unit?
Click to expand...

Not really! Take a meter and get a reading on the batt. Start motor and take a reading while motor is running. If your voltage is not higher with motor running it is not charging.
 
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F_R

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

roger56 said:
I do not believe this motor charges the battery It is a 59 johnson with electric start. It has lights and i think an electric choke. This is an old motor with very few extras. So I do not think this is an issue with my situation. My brother did get the cables switched around once but that has been corrected.
Click to expand...

Well that changes the whole topic. A '59 35hp does not have a rectifier. So you didn't blow it. Neither does it charge the battery, UNLESS it has the optional accessory DC generator kit. If so, the generator sits opposite the starter motor and is belt driven.
 
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roger56

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Re: What is a rectifier? (electrical?)

Thanks for info I will let my brother off the hook.
 
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