Cutout Relay Modified

Soundguy

The diode is a semiconductor.. think of it as a 1-way switch for current.

IMHO... I like oem equipment.. but I wouldn't be afraid of either.

I've made other semi-electronic conversions in place of voltage regulators, substituting a couple different value resistors, and relays to make a regulator that had a hi charge side, lo charge side, and 'off' that worked automagically, without a diode.. though in retrospect.. I could have added a diode instead of making a cutout scheme using either a couple spst relay or a dpdt relay and a simple compairing control circuit... etc.

Soundguy

I like his idea of using the rectifier bridge, if it had been done a little differently, and the rectifier was mounted right to the metal frame of the cutout, for heat sinking. Instead, it appears to be mounted on a thick plastic insulator.

(For those not familiar with those rectifiers, there typically is an exposed metal surface at one side, for heat sink mounting, and having that in contact with the cutout's base would provide an extra margin of safety, by keeping the unit's temp down. Yes, it's rated at 25 Amps, but that rating would be "with adequate heat sinking".)

And, like you said, why not connect it so as to spread the load over 2 of the internal diodes, rather than just one, as he has done.