A diode allows current to pass easily in one direction and blocks current in the other direction. Diodes are commonly used for rectification which is the conversion of alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Because a diode only allows current flow in one direction, it will pass either the upper or lower half of AC waves (half-wave rectification) creating pulsating DC. Multiple diodes can be connected together to utilize both halves of the AC signal in full-wave rectification.

A series circuit has only one path for current to flow. In a series circuit, current (I) is the same throughout the circuit and is equal to the total voltage (V) applied to the circuit divided by the total resistance (R) of the loads in the circuit. The sum of the voltage drops across each resistor in the circuit will equal the total voltage applied to the circuit.

You can multiply the voltage or the current supplied by individual batteries by connecting them together either in series or in parallel. The characteristics of batteries connected in parallel are that total voltage equals the average of the individual battery voltages, total current equals the sum of the individual battery currents, the positive terminal of one battery is connected to the positive terminal of the next, the negative terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next, and two connections are made between each adjacent battery.

Connecting the 8 batteries in series multiplies their voltage while keeping their current the same yielding a 96V 10A configuration. Connecting the 8 batteries in parallel multiplies their current while keeping their voltage the same yieleding a 12V 80A configuration. Using a series-parallel connection, 4 batteries can be connected in series and 4 can be connected in parallel resulting in a 48V 40A configuration.

Ohm's law specifies the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit: V = IR.