Solid State versus Mechanical

Solid state means that there are no moving parts to maladjust or break. Mechanical regulators have points, (remember them on your ignitions), These point contacts close and open according to electrical needs allowing electricity through or preventing it from flowing onwards. They pit, they burn, they weld together and they always go out of adjustment. What more would you like to know? Well, how about the difference between a regulator and a rectifier? Regulators and Rectifiers These devices are required, in part, because alternators and generators spew out the current which is usually too much for the battery to absorb without a correcting mechanism. Regulators are used on generating systems because they regulate the current from the generator to the battery. Too much current and the battery fluid, (electrolyte), boils from overcharging. Too little current and the battery will not fully charge. They also stop current from flowing back into the battery when at rest whether by opened contact points or a diode. Diodes are solid state do-dads that only allow current to flow in one direction. Regulators alone do not suffice for an alternating system. An additional component is required in order to change the alternating current to direct current. A battery stores direct current only and distributes it to the electrical system. This second function is incorporated into the rectifier that also regulates