Voltage Regulation

[ajensen]

I dislike disagreeing with The Buddha because he is almost always right. However, generators do put out DC, and alternators do put out AC. There are things that are called generators but that put out AC, but they are really alternators. I remember working on old Brit bikes, such as pre-unit Triumphs, that had generators. They had a regulator but no rectifier. I remember working on newer Brit bikes that had alternators. They had a rectifier but no regulator. The purpose of a rectifier is to turn AC into DC. A two-phase alternator uses only a simple bridge rectifier. My sincere apologies if I am incorrect. In that event I will gladly admit my lack of knowledge.

[mr72]

Ajensen you are correct.

[The Buddha]

How is a rotating coil/ magnet rotor setup ever going to make DC ? regardless of what is rotating and what isn't.
It effectively made DC cos the thing had a integrated bridge rectifier or some sort of diode bridge etc, and it made something that was smooth enough to be close to DC.
Cool.
Buddha.

[mr72]

How is a rotating coil/ magnet rotor setup ever going to make DC ?

With brushes and a commutator.

http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/302l/lectures/node91.html

Now, it's "DC" that looks a lot like full-wave-rectified AC. With a capacitor it looks more like DC.