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I'm interested in using a scrap automobile regulator in a solar panel array. Here's my concern and question:
Auto regulators are usually connected to the alternator which suggests they are regulating AC voltage. Are they taking AC as input and producing AC output or do they have an inverter built in? Additionally, I can't find information explaining the difference between AC and DC voltage regulators. Can I use an AC regulator in a DC system and expect the same results?

Thanks,
Jim

wow i feel like im back in tech school again

i cant tell u if a alternator voltage regulator will work in a solar panel. but i can tell u that a alternator has diodes that convert the ac current to dc. the regulator is 'after' the diodes. so the regulator would be for dc.

hope this helps

Auto regulators are usually connected to the alternator which suggests they are regulating AC voltage.

Are they taking AC as input and producing AC output or do they have an inverter built in?

Additionally, I can't find information explaining the difference between AC and DC voltage regulators.

Can I use an AC regulator in a DC system and expect the same results?

Thanks,
Jim



Excellent questions Jim. Your questions just prove that you’ve been away from the mother ship for far too long....Just kidding….No offense meant, but I just couldn’t resist. I'm sure you'll find the webpage below fundamentally fascinating.

http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules ... lt101.html

You probably won't be able to use an automotive voltage regulator to control the charging of your batteries. An automotive regulator controls the output of an alternator by changing the field current to the alternator's rotor. A solar panel doesn't use electromagnetism to produce current, so that type of regulator design won't work. To regulate the solar panels output to keep it from overcharging the batteries it has to somehow disconnect the panels from the batteries. A solar panel's regulator probably does this by turning a transistor or relay on and off.