Originally posted by axemansean
Rectifiers help you go from AC to DC. You can use a full wave rectifier with a smoothing capacitor and create a DC voltage.
Mosfets act as switches with a thresholds. Most tend to not operate below 0.7V, once you go above 0.7V the fet is turned on and you can control various devices.
Transformer, either a power up or power down. You can yank say a 12V source to 24V or yank it down to 6V.
All those are inside your car, somewhere deep in there.
Oh I know! There is a "Recifier Bridge" inside of the alternator that makes the ac current of the alternator into dc for the battery. I believe it uses a series of diodes to do that. I need to study up on Alternators more this weekend though. I have my Electrical final on Monday.
Mosfets, still doesn't ring a bell.
Transformer I would bet would be used for things like the ECU since the car's electricals should be 12.6v but the ECU only runs on 5vs, so I'm sure there is a transformer down there somewhere.