what exactly does a rectifier do...

[phatmanmike]

im new to this stuf pretty much, and i wanna know what a rectifier does, and please... dont say it rectifies !

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

converts AC to DC and in some cases also sends<br />a signal to the tach. the AC current comes from<br />the stator into the rectifier where it's converted<br />to DC current going to the battery, thus charging<br />the battery. it's also known as a regulater in<br />some models.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

Rectifiers are also known as diodes. They act as one way valves blocking the part of the AC wave that wants to reverse direction, indeed converting the AC into a crude DC. In say crude because it pulsates a bit if you're talking about just one diode and no filter capacitor (two wires only). Works just fine that way for a lot of things, though not so much for expensive electronics. There are slightly fancier setups for that situation. There are places where rectifiers are used more for polarity protection or to eliminate a backfeed situation, too. Can also be used in automatic switching and other more elaborate circuits. And some can regulate voltage.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

mellowyellow is right on but I will elaborate some. The AC is generated by the rotating magnet in the rotor or crankshaft. Depending on the stators characteristics the voltage output can be anything, some times the voltage is tapped off and taken to the tach as AC as the tach may count the pulses or an average current will be generated and used for needle movement. Thats why some tachs have a switch to select the number of poles. The recitfier (Single Diode, Half bridge, Full bridge) allows current to flow in one direction. Thus you end up pulsating DC. Batteries act as capacitors and typicaly filter most of the pulses out, or there may be some filtering in the requlator. This current is then used to charge the battery. It can get deeper than this. Just though I would throw in a little more detail.<br /><br />Singshot

 

[denniz]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

rectify....

 

[pjc]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

Also--in addition to "converting" ac voltage to dc voltage, a byproduct of the conversion is heat. Thus, ensuring that the rectifier is mounted properly to the power head, whatever, will help to transfer the waste heat. This is important to the rectifiers longevity.<br /><br />Anyone here deal with the Lucas Zener Diode used on British Triumph cycles for example? Had a giant aluminum heat sink to rid that waste heat. That is a good example of a charging system similar to the older outboard stuff.<br /><br />BTW, long ago I had a '69 T120 650 Trumpet. Neat classic motor, unreliable Lucas electrics.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

Alot of rectifier's are watercooled as well to disipate that heat.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

Pat Campbell,<br /><br />Thanks for the trip down memory lane and about Lucas Electrics (Prince of Darkness, and all that).<br /><br />Lucas electrical systems had an internal 3-way switch hidden in the components. The 3 positions were randomly selected during operation - dim, flicker, and off.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

Everything you wanted to know about rectifiers but were afraid to ask:<br /><br /> http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electronic/rectifiers.html#c1

 

[rodbolt]

Re: what exactly does a rectifier do...

hello<br /> dudes<br /> looks like seahorse has had a bit of british electrics . hahah the old prince of darkness. I cursed old lucas many a night as I used a flashligt to get home .<br /> anyway thats kinda the basics of a rectifier. it just changes alternating current to dc current. most large engines use 3 phase and water cooled rectifier regulators.<br /> the jonnyrude ones were the most exciting . kinda like the Lucas stuff only with pyro-technics<br /> good luck and keep posting