Hi GeeMac,
"Even if I have a teeny bit of AC generated by my windmill will it convert it to DC? "
Yes, by definition, the stator usually make's only AC current(amps)/voltage depending on circuit output]. The 'bridge-rectifier' converts all of the AC voltage(generated by the stator) to 'half-wave DC power(the sum of volts x amps).
Now sometimes this can be tricky, since you can use 6 diodes to make a 3-phase bridge. When generally you need 4 diodes to rectify each phase.
A single-phase would be the equivelent of a hot and nuetral in common household wireing. Such as 120volts. 3-phase generally just uses 3'hots' with no nuetral, the catch is each phase is 120* out from the next. For example 3-phases may only total 360* of total waveform.
"Is the 35 amps the point at which power the bridge will burn out or is that the point that it 'cuts in'? "
Forget cutin-speed for now. That is exulsively rated to RPM, and your batt-banks state of charge.
Always bear in-mind OHM's Law....
There is a voltage correction that needs to be made, if your figuring watts. Like a switch that can handle 6amps at 120v can only handle 3amps at 220volts.
The cutin speed on the otherhand is going to be a bit much more dynamic and accorinly harder to nail down. Things such as blade diameter and other specifications(furling speed, etc) are going to need to be made known, in order to factor the correct ohms(wire gauge and # of turns) for each coil wired, whether its in single phase 'or three phase.
"If you use 3 bridges and common the ac leads on each then the 3 phase rating can just about be 35A if you have heat sinks big enough."
NO,
That should be- "If you use 3 bridges and common the 'DC' leads on each,
JW
