- The "field" is the rotor a bobbin full of coiled wire
- Some designs use three 3 amp diodes to supply power to the voltage regulator
- The three diodes only supply power when the stator is making power. Think "Automatic on/off switch
- The diode trio rectifies positive power the alternator negative rectifiers rectify diode trio negative power
- The ignition switch supplies power until the stator/diode trio powers the regulator
RECTIFIERS MUST BE DOWNGRADED WHEN THEY GET HOT
- Heatsink design is as much artform as it is science
- Several smaller rectifiers spread out over a large area distribute heat better than a giant rectifier in the center
- Because of the heat it is safe to use 300% of the total cold maximum output 100 amp alt 300 amps rectifier UNLESS the rectifiers are keep at a max of 80c by virtue of added heatsinking
- There are silicon and avalanche rectifiers used. Avalanche rectifiers act like zener diodes when reverse voltage approaches 28-32 volts
- Avalanche rectifiers give protection against transient voltage "spikes"
- A separate rectifier - a remote rectifier keeps the rectifiers cooler and does not add to the heat burden entering the alternator
- Dual internal rotor fans are used on late model alternators
- This is because the rotors have so much wire in the bobbin (ampere turns) little air can pass forward past the spinning rotor
- Remote mounting of a voltage regulator works fine if premium harness connectors are employed
- Gold plated and soldered Molex, connections are not part of the program for factory systems.
