anyone know a simple way to rectify the ac current from an alternator? I built a permanent magnet alternator that needs to be electronically commutated. a full wave bridge only produces the same as a single diode, i'm still loosing half the power. is there a way?

 

You have to have two coils in the alternator with a common center point to be able to do full wave rectification.

 

You have to have two coils in the alternator with a common center point to be able to do full wave rectification.

I disagree with this. You can do full wave rectification by using a bridge rectifier with a single coil.

Seayaker,

What do you mean you lose half the power?

 

a full wave bridge only produces the same as a single diode, i'm still loosing half the power.

I am confused by this statement. By "full wave bridge" you mean four diodes, yes? With their anodes to + and their cathodes to - and the other two connections to the alternator? Because if you turn it sideways it would produce the same half-wave rectification as a single diode...