Figure 2
cycle of AC uses the entire wave of the
south and north magnets. By using a diode,
you take and block the positive side of the
AC and only use the DC or negative side
to charge a battery (see Figure 2).
22
A short note on batteries:You must have the
proper battery for the application. Pay attention
to cold cranking amps and its age. Check with
the manufacturer of the equipment to verify the
size and amps necessary.
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
Rectifiers/Regulators
A rectifier/regulator does pretty much
what it states — it rectifies electrical
current and regulates the use of that
current. The following paragraphs explain
what happens with a 15-amp system, so
hang on!
The outer circuit of a 15-amp
regulator consists of AC and uses a CR5,
which is a programmable unijunction
transistor (PUT). This functions as a diode
and a SCR (silicon control rectifier). As a
diode, it provides 1/2-wave rectification.
As an SCR, it controls the flow of
current.
The inner portion of a regulator has
a "gate" on the PUT, a zanier diode,
a cathode, a transistor, an anode and
additional resistors. One transistor
continually monitors the battery voltage
and/or compares the voltage at the anode
and cathode. When the battery voltage
drops below the desired regulated voltage,
the reference voltage reaching the cathode
from the zener diode will exceed the
voltage at the anode, and the current will
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