What’s a Rectifier?

What is a Rectifier? Does my snowmobile need one? This is a common question when wanting to put New LED headlights in an older model sled that has the outdated halogen bulbs in place. The yellow glow of halogens that at one time seemed to work okay, now have become an out of date lighting method in power sports and newer vehicles. Most newer Powersport vehicles, snowmobiles, atvs & side by sides now are starting to offer LED lighting options from the manufacturer. Many snowmobiles run AC current instead of DC for their lighting method. Some sleds also run DC at the headlight plugs. The vast majority of skidoos and also snowmobiles with electric start run DC current at the headlight plugs and don’t need to be converted when installing new LED Headlight bulbs. The ones that don’t run DC, will need to be converted with a rectifier prior to using LEDs. So if your sled is running AC (alternating current) at the headlight plugs, yes it will need rectifiers installed to convert the power at the headlights plugs to DC (Direct Current) when installing new LED Headlight bulbs. The difference between alternating current and Direct current is exactly like you’d think it would be from the name. Direct current is a steady power flow traveling one direction to the headlight. Alternating current fluctuates and can have power spikes up and down, so the voltage isn’t consistent and can travel both directions almost like a pulse. The problem with running AC current is that it is inconsistent with power spikes and this can lead to blown headlight bulbs, flickering or inconsistent light and in some cases, even shorted or melted wiring. A way around this is to install a plug n play rectifier at each headlight plug. A plug n play in line headlight rectifier converts the AC current to DC and only allows the power to flow one way. This protects your sled wiring, provides a more even lighting, decreases electrical load and also allows you to run LED headlight bulbs in place of the old halogens. A good quality headlight rectifier has a printed circuit board, resister and also an internal capacitor. One rectifier is usually needed per headlight plug in. Please check out our AC to DC Headlight rectifiers that we sell here at LEDPowersport.com for H4 style connectors and H13 style connectors. A fairly simple method to check if your sled is running AC current at the headlight plugs and needs to be converted to DC is to take a multimeter and test the voltage. Turn your multimeter onto the volts setting and take the positive and negative probes. Touch the probes to the corresponding positive and negative locations on your snowmobiles headlight plugs. If you have a consistent volt reading that isn’t changing up and down you most likely have DC current. If the reading fluctuates up and down or spikes majorly it is more than likely an AC current and you will need to buy or make rectifiers.