Diodes

[Dirk Diggler]

Any one here able to offer some advice on diodes? I need to make a couple of kits up for controlling trim on a pair of motors, but only using a single pole switch. I know how it's done, but haven't got a clue on the spec of the diodes needed. If possible, a link to an ebay item would be great.

Here's a pic of something I used last time.

[Erin]

I'm guessing it will be running 12v, so you'll need to know the current draw by the ram motors so that you can get a suitable diode. Once you know this, I'd be tempted to pop into Maplins and speak to their guys to get some with suitable current rating.

[EnglishLes]

You need diodes that cater for the voltage and amperage you will be using.

Voltage will be 12 or maybe 24. The amperage will be govern by the wattage of the motor. Power (watts) = Amps times Volts. So amps will be watts divided by voltage. These are the minimum values you need to get.

There should be these values on the old diodes or you could take them into somewhere like Maplins and ask for some to replace them.

Maplin Electronics : Diodes

[Dirk Diggler]

It's going to be low amperage, as it's only to trigger the solenoids on the trim motors, 1 or 2 amp fuse in the circuit at most!

[jyasaki]

What Dirk said. Motor current is supplied from the relays.

jky

[Smithyyy]

I'm using Maplin diodes fine for a couple of things to do with anchor lights, bilge pump, solar panels, their basic 29p jobs do fine and from memory I think are Ok for 50w so should be good for up to 4a at 12v