There are various ways to wire an alternator, but typically all current passes through two diodes in series. In this generic graphic from Google images, with a Y-wired alternator, I've shown the particular instant where no current is flowing through winding #3 at all, and the total current is flowing through 1 and 2. Outbound current is red, inbound is blue.
On Oct 19, 2012, at 7:28 AM, ED MARTIN wrote: But the Alternator has six diodes visible ..... How does your formula apply in this case ???
On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Wolfgang <Wolfgang@micom.net> wrote:
You may want to re-think those diodes.
Those 50A diodes are NOT suitable for a 100 amp alternator.
They are only good for 50 x sqr3 = 86.6 amps
. . . and then only if you have good heat sinks on those diodes.
Wolfgang
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