Mercury arc rectifier

[Grendel]

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]

Beautiful design!

 

[Geoff1946]

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]

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]

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

They do look fantastic

 

[Grendel]

Hope this works:

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

 

[Geoff1946]

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]

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]

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

 

[Geoff1946]

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

 

[Tony S]

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

 

[Grendel]

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]

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

 

[Tony S]

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]

Hi Toni,

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

Hubert

 

[Tony S]

Makes sense now   :Applaud

 

[Rob.]

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]

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

 

[Grendel]

Toni,

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

Hubert

 

[Tony S]

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.