Murray Woodward

Hello Sebastian,

Thank you! That is an absolutely brilliant answer, you have no idea how long I've been trying to extract that information from supposedly knowledgeable people! I don't know if they know their stuff but just can't explain it well enough for me to grasp, or they just don't really know it very well. Regardless of their efforts, you have managed to explain it so nicely and it makes total sense to me now!

Hi Sebastian,

Thanks for that.

So if I understand this correctly the rectifier voltage output is decided by the batteries so over-voltage should not be an issue. I'm intrigued to know how this works (how does the battery know to draw slightly more than the battery rating (48v) to enable it to charge?). Does this mean for example, if the batteries are at 49v the rectifier will output maybe 51v, and if the batteries were at 52v the rectifier would output maybe 54v?

Also intrigued as to why charging at a low current 10A is not good for the batteries? I have a new rectifier to install (150A 1600v) as I'm unsure what the existing rectifier is rated at as it has no markings on it, so I thought best to go with a bigger one and a large heatsink to match.

So I have a turbine (hydro, but this question should be the same regardless wind/water so hopefully some of you wind gurus can help....) which has 3-phase output (10A) to a DC bridge rectifier. A Tristar diversion load controller dumps excess power to prevent batteries overcharging.

I'm increasing turbine output from 10A to around 20A DC (measured after rectifier) by adding a second water jet - the turbine is rated for a max 50A output at 48v so no problem there.

I don't fully understand how turbines work electrically and so how this will affect the DC output voltage of the rectifier. I'm guessing as the current from the turbine doubles the voltage will remain pretty much the same, hence doubling the output (P=VI)?

My concern at this time is if the voltage output of the rectifier will be too much for the batteries.  How do I measure this DC rectifier output?