i need a blocking diode for my security system for the power locks. i have no idea what to look for, i went to radio shack and picked one up that says 50V . 1A

its peak inverse voltage is 50V, forward voltage drop 1.6V, forward current 1A, max. surge current 30A, and reverse current 10(weird "u" shape)A

does this make any sense? it doesnt sound hard to hook it up but i dont know what thell hell i need

This post has been edited by Terzin1: Jun 1, 2005 - 6:00 AM

This means that in the forward bias direction (current flowing out of the banded side), the diode will have a 1.6V drop across it and can handle up to 1A steady before it will break.

In the reverse bias direction ( - -----|>|----- +), the doide can handle upto 50V before it breaks down, and will have about 0.00001A coming out of it.

pretty much any diode should do the trick

just go ebay.. you can get 25 for 5 bucks..

but at radio shack its like 4 bucks for 2 diodes.

im gonna go ahead and hook the diode i have up, if its not the right kind, will it mess my system up or anything, it only for the doors

The diode you need is 1N4004. Go to this link for info: click here Terzin!

thats actually what i got, but whats the L for?

-Terzin1+Jun 1, 2005 - 9:28 PM
What L? you mean 1N4004? Thats a one.

oh sorry, the diode i have has an L after all of those letters

When I went to Radio Shack, I told the guy I needed 1 Amp diodes for my car and so he was like "OH 12 VOLT OKAY I HAVE THAT."

So you need 1AMP 12VOLT

All you really need is a 1n4001, 50V is plenty for a car and you probably won't exceed the 1 amp load. Plus they're cheap. Forget eBay, go onto DigiKey and you can get 100 for $13