Jamie - thanks for schooling me on the basics. You'd think by now I'd know a bit more than I do, eh?
I agree the wood is a super quick way to get an idea off the ground.
Well, it works! (Again. This time @ 12v)
It puts out a little less juice than I was expecting/hoping, but here's what I'm seeing while pedaling, connected straight to the 12v battery (which had a starting voltage of about 12.33).
Total "system" voltage on the left, amps on the right..... fast, faster, fastest: