Originally posted by FourthGenHatch
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.
Mosfets could be used in say the idiot light for a low battery. Once the voltage gets below a certain threshold you can pass it through a mosfet and turn on a LED.