Not every boat owners want to only drive their boat.
Some always want to know the technical part of how things function in a boat.
This often lead to questions like what does a rectifier do in an outboard motor.
The function of a rectifier in an outboard motor include converting AC to DC current, charging the battery in a boat, regulating the DC current it outputs and powering boat gadgets.
But for you to enjoy this level of functionality from your outboard rectifier, you have to make sure that your outboard rectifier is in a good working condition.
This will help the rectifier to perform flawlessly and improve the performance of the boat when used.
Function Of a Rectifier In An Outboard Motor
1)Converts AC Current To DC
When it comes to the function of a rectifier that is seen in an outboard motor, there is one distinct role it plays.
This has to do with current conversion.
With the use of an outboard motor, there are a lot of components.
These components perform their roles distinctively.
With the case of a rectifier in an outboard motor, its role is to convert and supply DC curent to the outboard components.
In an outboard, there is a stator or an alternator.
Depending on the outboard motor brand, a stator can be used.
In other outboard motor brands, an alternator is used.
The stator and alternator produce an alternating current.
But for this current to be useful in the outboard motor, it has to be converted.
In the conversion process, the alternating current from the stator or the alternator has to be converter to a direct current.
This conversion is done with the help of the rectifier in the outboard motor.
With the DC current, the battery in the boat will be charged.
A surplus of the DC current is used to feed other components of the boat.
2) Charge Boat Battery
When it comes to the components of a boat, an electric charge is needed to keep them functional.
This ranges from the battery to other components like the fish finder.
With the presence of a rectifier in an outboard motor, the battery in the boat can be easily charged.
This is because the rectifier outputs a direct current that can be used to charge the boat battery well.
The rectifier does not just output a direct current, it makes sure that the output voltage is regulated.
The output voltage from the outboard rectifier is regulated to 14.5 volts max.
This helps to make sure that the battery is not overcharged or exposed to an excessive range of voltage.
With this, the battery will be able to charge well.
The longevity of the boat battery will also be increased when it is charged with the right voltage.
3) Boat Rectifier Regulates DC Current
Another function of a rectifier in an outboard motor is that it helps in regulating the voltage it outputs.
The rectifier might play a good role in converting the alternating current from the stator or alternator to direct current but if it is not regulated, it will cause damages.
One of the ways in which the rectifier prevents this is that it regulates the voltage it outputs.
This is usually regulated to a maximum of 14.5 volts from the rectifier.
Due to this, certain issues like boat battery overcharging is prevented.
The only time such might happen is when the rectifier is faulty.
In such a situation, the rectifier will produce an unstable voltage.
This can be higher that 14.5 volts.
It can also be lower than 14.5 volts.
When this happens, damage will occur in the devices in the boat.
That is why you have to make sure that you always use a good rectifier when you are using a battery or powering gadgets from your boat energy.
4) Powering Boat Gadgets
When questions like what does a rectifier do in an outboard motor pop up, you have to look at the devices that are powered through the boat energy.
A rectifier help in charging the battery of a boat with the power if produces.
But at some point, the battery will be full and there will be enough energy left.
This energy is used in powering other gadgets that exist in the boat while the boat is running.
This includes gadgets that make use of a 12 volts DC input voltage.
This can be a fish finder or a GPS device.
It can even be devices like an inverter to power 110 volts or 220 volts electronics in the boat.
The rectifier helps in making sure that a steady voltage is provided for these devices to function well.