Abstract: An alternator system having a single voltage sensor and a half-wave controlled rectifier bridge for increasing/decreasing alternator output power is disclosed. The half-wave controlled rectifier bridge includes three diodes and three active switches. The alternator system further includes a controlled field winding coupled to a three-phase stator winding; a battery; and, a controller for controlling the active switches and the field winding for increasing/decreasing the alternator output power. The controller uses edges sensed by the single voltage sensor for determining optimum activation and deactivation times for the three active switches in the bridge, and then controlling the switches in accordance with the determined optimum switching times.