Mercury arc rectifier

Grendel · Jun 17, 2018

Hi,

I just acquired two of these units and I thought some of you might be interested.

They will do 0-250 VDC @ 20 Amp and they can convert DC to AC as well.

Ardet R · Jun 17, 2018

Beautiful design!

Geoff1946 · Jun 17, 2018

Nice, and I would think fairly scarce these days. Massive poly-phase ones used to be used to power tramways but they are probably all scrapped by now.

I'm not sure about DC to AC conversion though; never heard of it, (in connection with MARs), before and I can't immediately think how it would work.

Grendel · Jun 17, 2018

I haven't worked out how it works, but it does.

I can post a picture of the diagram, if I can work out how to post it here,......

roys · Jun 17, 2018

I might be wrong but @steptoe did mention something about these for the Isle of Man trams years ago?

They do look fantastic

Grendel · Jun 17, 2018

Hope this works:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b5vLVmK1hpxEBZ4S6

Geoff1946 · Jun 17, 2018

Grendel said:
Hope this works:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b5vLVmK1hpxEBZ4S6

Yes, the image works fine.

That will rectify AC and produce DC, but not the opposite, which is what I was doubting.

Grendel · Jun 17, 2018

Well, according to the manual it should.
There is a big fat selector switch on the front panel, marked "rectifier mode" and "inverter mode".

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ck4NhzGGeujw47eX7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x9ZVUDvuzU5k774WA

I do think it needs to be grid connected to keep frequency though.

Kind regards,

Hubert

Geoff1946 · Jun 18, 2018

OK I'll hold my hand up! Never heard of that use before.

Geoff1946 · Jun 18, 2018

A comprehensive explanation within this very forum! Live and learn.

Tony S · Jun 18, 2018

I can’t see any grid connections for inverse operation? Can you copy and e-mail the manual for it please.

Grendel · Jun 18, 2018

Hi Toni,

I will copy the manual and send it to you via email. Please give me some time, I'm in France right now.

Also, the manual is in German.

Cheers,

Hubert

Tony S · Jun 18, 2018

I usually manage to muddle though with German drawings. It’s the inverse operation I can’t get my head around.

Tony S · Jun 18, 2018

I’ve just had a closer look at the video clip. It looks like the control grids are in the “elbow” of the anode (cathode in inverse mode) arms. Changing polarity accounts for the big clunky switch.

Grendel · Jun 18, 2018

Hi Toni,

I have a closeup of the elbows. There you can see the connections.

Hubert

Tony S · Jun 18, 2018

Makes sense now :Applaud

Rob. · Jun 19, 2018

Well I've decommissioned a couple of these in the past. Never seen one that could produce AC.

Wont matter if the manual is in German, I can translate it.

Geoff1946 · Jun 19, 2018

I'm persuaded it can be done, but I think I'll stick with my Solar River unit for the solar panels.

Grendel · Jun 19, 2018

Toni,

I have sent you a we-transfer link with the complete manual.

Hubert

Tony S · Jun 19, 2018

Grendel said:
Toni,

I have sent you a we-transfer link with the complete manual.

Hubert

Thank you. I'll have a look through it this evening.

Mercury arc rectifier

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