The truth about external rectifiers, diodes and voltage regulators.

[DC Power Kyle 21]

Some companies claim that their alternators are vastly superior to the competition claiming that adding an external rectifier and or regulator and adding diodes fixes everything. Well, there’s no doubt that taking the rectifier out of the alternator will help to some degree, it’s not a cure all fix. What about the windings? Are they up to being pushed to 200-300% of their rated output? Not likely. Are the stock internal cooling fans able to pull enough air to efficiently cool the alternator, again, not likely. What about the aftermarket voltage regulator? Again, not likely. The sad truth is that adding external anything to an alternator is generally a bandaid to fix a problem. The primary reason for externally rectifying an alternator is because the components used inside the alternator just aren’t up to the task and will fail without it. Remember, something is only as strong as it’s weakest link, just because you fix one problem, doesn’t mean another one isn’t ready to show it’s ugly head.