blocking diode equal rectifier diode?

Hey all, Trying to wire my 520t back up battery but my alarm only has one (-) instant trigger input and my hood pin is connected to this trigger input already. After hooking up the 520t and hooking the 520t's blue (-) trigger output to the same input as my hood pin I noticed when disconnecting the main battery the 520t wouldn't trigger my alarm. After research I noticed that if you wire two (-)trigger outputs to one (-) instant trigger input on an alarm you will need to isolate the trigger outputs using "blocking diodes". Well I googled blocking diodes and nothing came up. So here I am. Is a rectifier diode the same as a blocking diode? and would this one from radioshack work for what I am trying to do? http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productid=2062589 it's a mixed pack of rectifier diodes, but it says it will include a 1N4001. 1N4001 is the one I will need right? Thanks

Yes, blocking diode - rectifier diode. The Radioshack diode should work perfect.Kevin Pierson

The general part number of the blocking diode you are looking for is 1N4001.  It is rated to 1 Amp and 50 V ( Peak Repetitive Reverse Voltage ) and the most common.  Also very common is the 1N4004, 1 Amp & 400V. They are usually stocked at RadioShack but also available "online"  for Qty 100 at $3.00.   Here is a link to the Spec Sheet for these diodes :  http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/35975.pdfSoldering is fun!

Compared to a 1N4001, any 1N400x diode will do. Get the cheapest, though 1N4004 or 4007 is probably the most common and also used for spike suppression (relay coils & inductive loads) - the IN4001 & 4002 having too low a PIV for that.

Yes to your post, then X 4 with KP, Kreg and Oldie.

Thanks fellas I appreciate your help and input

So I have just learned that a 'rectifier' converts AC input to DC output. Does this mean that a rectifier diode with DC input, has the same DC output? I have some 6amp rectifier diodes that I was going to use in a r/s install. I had purchased this package to link my ATV's low beam to high beam so that low satys on when you switch to high. This is, like our vehicles, a DC setup. Its works fine and I see in this post that the rec. diode will work for the r/s application as well. Can anyone answer my question for me?  Thank You

Yes, DC in will get you DC out on a rectifier diode.

6-amp diodes are overkill for this application, but you can certainly use them. Anything 1-amp & over is fine.

If the diodes have white lines on them, the lines should face towards the pin sw on one & towards the 520t on the other.

Good Enough Isn't!

Thanks, I just ordered some 1n4004's for the r/s. p.s. im not the original poster from may 2011, so he/she may not see the info you gave them after answering my question

ieetgluu wrote: Does this mean that a rectifier diode with DC input, has the same DC output?

FYI - each diode has a "forward" (ie: conducting, current flowing) voltage drop of typically 0.6V depending on current and diode type. [ Schottky diodes typically ~0.3V; common Silicon types 0.6V drop - though academic circles usually cite 0.7V - but all (voltage) drops increase with increasing current. EG - the generally antiquated & overpriced diode battery isolators often drop over 1.0V at rated load. ]

ieetgluu wrote: ... to link my ATV's low beam to high beam so that low stays on when you switch to high...

If they use relays, it probably just needs a 1N4004 (or 4001 etc) between the highbeam and lowbeam relay coils. If they don't have relays, GET THEM!. But no modern car would use full-rated switches - relays are the norm (though they should stick to plain SPST! Or SPDT for its extra "control only" ability). Besides, why suffer probably a 1V drop to the headlights when that diode drop to a relay coil's behavior is negligible. But DO NOT RUN BOTH filaments in a high-low bulb simultaneously - they will fail and maybe explode. If it's separate hi & lo beams, then fine. And that should work too for the "flash" function - ie, lo comes on with hi - but check to make sure (assuming it's illegal to have high beam without low).