can diods be responsible for loss of 0.5V in alternator?

[Huw Powell]

> Two 110Ah alternators have same voltag regulators (different batch 
> though)  and one ouputs 14.8 V and another 14.3.    I don't remember how 
> details of the diod bridge schema and how it works.   If someone is on 
> top of this stuff,  can you tell me if diods can cause the loss of 
> 0.5V?  

I don't think so, based on my memory of how alternators are usually wired.

A bad diode that is open would probably reduce the current capability, 
while one that is shorted would superimpose some AC on the DC output. 
Either would be a "bad thing"

That half volt difference could just be due to variation between the 
transistors in the regulators, or, perhaps a poor ground connection (at 
the mounting screw) of the *higher* voltage unit (the poor connection's 
resistance results in the regulator seeing a slightly lower D+ voltage 
and hence putting out a bit more - btdt, before it stopped working and 
had to be cleaned)

Hope this helps...

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/