door trigger diode

Hello guys i need some quick help, i am wondering if i need a specific diode for my install. A diagram i saw online for my vehicle states: "1 Amp General purpose Diode" & then again "DIODE ISOLATE". I purchased a set if diode from radioshack "IN4001 - Micromini Sillicon Diode". The alarm goes off when i open hatch and doors but it seems to also trigger the alarm randomly i know this because i removed the door trigger wiring and left just the keyless entry and no false alarms. So my question is am i suppose to use a specific diode or am i doing something wrong? Door Triggers are (-) only and alarm supports (-).

No, any 1N400x diode is fine. Did you install it in the right direction? (And in the correct circuit if you didn't install one for each.)

What vehicle, make, model and year, that might help us with answering the second part. Oldspark's answered the first except I always use 1N4004, most common type and it's good enough to be a back spikes suppressor on relays, I wouldn't use a 1N4001 for that purpose.

The 1n4001 diodes are fine.

2003 Dodge Durango I could have installed them wrong i will try it again, could it be that because i have the diodes touching each other that's causing the random triggers? howie ll I have read basically the same thing you posted on other forums i think I'm just going to get me some of those to be on the safe side.

sorry for double post but what do you mean? (And in the correct circuit if you didn't install one for each.) From what i can tell i have the corrects ones, when i do wire them then alarm the system then try to open any door the alarm goes off so its working, but when i disarm my alarm LED and dome stay on as if a door is still open even after i close them all.

Mr. Idiot is far more knowledgeable than me on the theory side but my point is that 1N4001 diodes have a peak inverse of 50 volts, 1N4004, 400 volts and the back EMF generated when a relay shuts down is about 200 volts! Therefore...... As for the diodes, look at this:- durango_doors.bmp For the above purpose, 1N4001 diodes are fine.

Though most recommend 1N4004 or 1N4007 as "the standard" 1N400x diodes, in this case where the diodes are in series (AND not to relay coils), the 1N4001 is fine. (The 1N4004 & 7 have PIVs (peak inverse voltages) of 400V & 1000V respectively. They have tended to become the standard manufactured product - the other 1N400x's being dropped and often rarer or more expensive.)

oldspark wrote: And in the correct circuit if you didn't install one for each.

Often when adding a circuit to door triggers, a diode is added to the new circuit so that it does not impact or trigger the existing circuit. Likewise a diode is often inserted in the existing circuit to prevent that effecting the new circuit. For grounding door switches, the line ends of the diodes are tied together and connected to the switch. Each "door trigger circuit" is then connected to the opposite ends of diodes.

Thank you guys very much, i will try my best to document my install so that i may post it here to help others.

Ok guys I've ran into a problem, i purchased a few "1N4004 Rectifier Diode 1 Amp" and wired them to the 3 separate (-) triggers. The alarm goes if if i open the doors but I've also noticed that the alarm triggers itself regardless after 45-60 seconds. If i disconnect the diodes the alarm does not false. I believe it might be the dome light supervision. If this can be the problem how can i wire a relay to kill dome lights once i arm system?