Rectifier?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 788
Likes: 1
From: Hendersonville, TN
Yes and no. Your rectified voltage will be slightly higher. AC is rated, and meters calibrated for, RMS (root mean square) values, which are, IIRC, 70.7% of peak. When you rectify it you'll get a DC voltage around the AC's peak (probably about 15 volts).
When you put on a load it'll drop to around 12 volts (RMS is used because it's essentially the effective or usable voltage). To protect something that might be damaged by the higher voltage, put a resistor across the output (try about 300 ohms to start.) or use a three-pin voltage regulator from radio shack. An electrolytic cap would be advisable to smooth the output voltage. Do a net search on power supply circuits and it'll answer any questions.
When you put on a load it'll drop to around 12 volts (RMS is used because it's essentially the effective or usable voltage). To protect something that might be damaged by the higher voltage, put a resistor across the output (try about 300 ohms to start.) or use a three-pin voltage regulator from radio shack. An electrolytic cap would be advisable to smooth the output voltage. Do a net search on power supply circuits and it'll answer any questions.
