[Vwdiesel] Alternators versus Generators --( for beginners )

[H . Hagar.]

  In that case then aren't they actually rectified with a half wave?  3 phase

and all I've worked on had 6 diodes.  Wouldn't you need 12 for full wave?
  Never thought about them being 3 phase.  Wonder if one could be cranked
up to run a Bridgeport?  ;-D
     Loren

Hagar sez :    Loren and All.  --   6  diodes is right  for full wave rectification.---it
is like this , the alternator output is 3 phase  --- 3 wires --- say  A B C  or X Y Z  or
1 2 3 ---  that is a way of identifying rotation of the phases.  ---in factories  on
motors   the cables will be Red  Blue  Black.   So your  alternator output is 3
wires ---they go to the rectifier ---from the rectifier output is two wires   a Plus and a
Minus.
The diodes are different as follows --- 3  positive and 3 negatories --- so when
replacing --make sure you get the right one  ----simple to sort out with a meter. And yes
they will run a 3 phase motor    and they will run as a 3 phase motor.---I do both here
in a normal days experimenting.---does a 12 diode rectifier exist ?   ---probably  ---I
ran in to a 6 phase job ones.

Of more interest to the experimenters here  is the fact that it is possible to use a 3
phase motor  --you know dumpster stuff ?  --on single phase house power  ----I do that as
well.---more on that some other time.

Next entry will be good news for the Alternator DIY   gang.

Hagar.