Measuring Volts and Amps digitally

[skimask]

If a simple diode takes care of it then i guess the rectifier would do the same thing.

Pretty much does, but you have to calculate the offset caused by the diode's forward voltage drop (either ~.25v or ~.6v depending on the type)

What is the purpose of a "bleed" resistor? Is that to go in series or parallel with the capacitor?

Series to ground, parallel across itself, whatever, you'll have to figure that out yourself (think R/C time constant). The bleed resistor will let the cap falls off if/when the input voltage average drops. I think you've got the idea, just need to plug some numbers into a couple formulas.

[The Master]

I think the diode part can be compensated by calibrating the circuit. Im going to have a variable resistor that can move the output in the range of 3-7V, then i will use the computer calibrating part (either the chip of a furmula on the final result) as a kind of fine tuning.

Just thinking about calibration. Whats the best way? I was thinking to connect up my multimeter, apply different loads and match the output to the multimeters output. Would that work well enough?

How do you choose a capacitor and bleed resistor? I know you sort of told me but im not sure. Which do you pick first? The capacitor or the resistor?