What diode size?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=50137
Printed Date: July 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Topic: What diode size?
Posted By: exsodius
Subject: What diode size?
Date Posted: February 15, 2005 at 3:12 AM
I have a 2002 ford focus. I have just installed a remote system for my central locking. I connected it to the turning indicators(flashing lights) with two 4001 diodes. But they got so warm that smoke developed. The remote modul turns the turning indicators on for 15 seconds when unlocking. So, how much ampere do you think the turning inicators use. Totally 6 light bulbs. What diode should i use? Thanks
Replies:
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 15, 2005 at 10:38 PM
It might help if you give the make and model of the remote system you used. I suspect you need to use a relay to flash the light circuit. Have a look at this page. https://www.the12volt.com/relays/page4.asp#lf1
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 15, 2005 at 11:24 PM
[QUOTE=boomer_106]It might help if you give the make and model of the remote system you used. I suspect you need to use a relay to flash the light circuit. Have a look at this page. https://www.the12volt.com/relays/page4.asp#lf1[/QUOTE] The car is 2002 ford focus wagon. Remote system is Seco-larm SLI830 keyless entry
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:22 PM
Looking up the specs on that unit it says it has a built in light flashing relay so that's good. Did the install manual tell you to put these diodes on?
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:37 PM
boomer_106 No the install manual do not tell me to put on diodes. But i have connected it to the direction signals. And thats is a left and rigth circuit. So if i connect them toghether, then both turning signals will get light. And then other cars wont know which way i am going :) But that could be kinda cool.
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:42 PM
You should have it connected to the parking light circuit. You would find that at your light switch. The diagram I see says its Orange with a black stripe. Use your meter to verify that when you get to it. Its a positive circuit. You don't need diodes. Connect like this and you should be in business.
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:45 PM
boomer_106 wrote:
You should have it connected to the parking light circuit. You would find that at your light switch. The diagram I see says its Orange with a black stripe. Use your meter to verify that when you get to it. Its a positive circuit. You don't need diodes. Connect like this and you should be in business.
Does this diagram say where this ORANGE / black wire is located? Where did you find the diagram? Thanks
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:48 PM
Here is the diagram and yes it says it's located at the light switch. Remote Starter Wiring Colors and Notes | Function | | Vehicle Color | Location | Start: | | GRAY/BLACK | IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS | Ignition #1: | | GREEN/ YELLOW | IGNITION SWTICH HARNESS* | Ignition #2: | | N/A | | Ignition #3: | | N/A | | Accessory: | | YELLOW | IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS | Brake Light: | | GREEN/ RED (+) | AT SWITCH ABOVE PEDAL ** | Tach Signal: | | BLACK/ LT. GREEN | AT COIL MODULE | Parking Lights: | | ORANGE / YELLOW (+) | AT LIGHT SWITCH | Headlights: | | | | Diesel Glow Plug: | | | | Clutch Bypass Wire: | | | | Notes: | | * This Vehicle Is Equipped With Ford's Passive Anti-Theft System. Use Universal Alarm Bypass Module part # 2x402 where X can be any number. ** This Wire Is Only Active When The Ignition Is On. |
Alarm and Keyless Entry Wiring Colors and Notes | Function | | Vehicle Color | Location | Constant +12 Volts: | | RED | IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS | OEM Alarm Disarm: | | BLUE/LIGHT GREEN | IN DRIVERS KICK PANEL | Dome Lights/Superv: | | | | OEM Horn: | | | | Power Lock: | | BLACK/ RED (-) | DRIVER'S KICK IN DOOR BOOT *** | Power Unlock: | | BLACK / YELLOW (-) | DRIVER'S KICK IN DOOR BOOT *** | Trunk Release: | | BLACK / YELLOW (-) | AT TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH | Alarm Input Wire: | | | | Notes: | | *** See Installation Note # 201 - Negative Pulse Door Lock Diagram. |
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:50 PM
Sorry I meant Orange / YELLOW
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:53 PM
Wow where did you get this? But parking lights says orange / YELLOW not orange with black stripe as your previous post?
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 8:59 PM
Ok. I can already see that this diagram is not for my focus because of the central lock. Mine is BLACK/ orange lock and BLACK/ green unlock. Trunk release is BLACK / YELLOW and that is right. If this is a usa diagram, it might be different from my european focus.
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 9:09 PM
I didnt realize you were in Europe. I do believe this is a USA diagram. At any rate you should find a parking light wire at the switch. You can probably find it with your meter. Just make sure you dont tap into the dimmer wire or you can damage the rheostat. I would think your bound to find a wire that gets 12 volts when you turn on the park lights. Operate the dimmer when you do and make sure the voltage holds at 12
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 9:18 PM
boomer_106 wrote:
I didnt realize you were in Europe. I do believe this is a USA diagram. At any rate you should find a parking light wire at the switch. You can probably find it with your meter. Just make sure you dont tap into the dimmer wire or you can damage the rheostat. I would think your bound to find a wire that gets 12 volts when you turn on the park lights. Operate the dimmer when you do and make sure the voltage holds at 12
Man, i have tried. what is a rheostat? I have tapped into the dimmer wire. And the instrument light for dash an radio came on. Maybe i have damaged something?
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 9:34 PM
A rheostat is just a device that varies the amount of current passing through it. Automakers just use it to make your inside lights in your car get dimmer or brighter when you operate the dimmer control. Where did you tap into for this turn signal circuit? If everything is working ok other than your diodes smoking I dont think you have damaged anything. If you keep testing the wires with a meter (you are using a meter right?) then you will find wires that get juice when you turn on the parking lights. If you then operate your dimmer and the voltage on your meter fluctuates then you have the dimmer wire. Cross that off and find another wire to try. If you have an Orange / YELLOW wire there try it first. If all else fails you could try calling your local dealer and they may be courteous enough to look it up for you.
Posted By: exsodius
Date Posted: February 16, 2005 at 10:13 PM
boomer_106 wrote:
A rheostat is just a device that varies the amount of current passing through it. Automakers just use it to make your inside lights in your car get dimmer or brighter when you operate the dimmer control. Where did you tap into for this turn signal circuit? If everything is working ok other than your diodes smoking I dont think you have damaged anything. If you keep testing the wires with a meter (you are using a meter right?) then you will find wires that get juice when you turn on the parking lights. If you then operate your dimmer and the voltage on your meter fluctuates then you have the dimmer wire. Cross that off and find another wire to try. If you have an Orange / YELLOW wire there try it first. If all else fails you could try calling your local dealer and they may be courteous enough to look it up for you.
Sigh! My dimmer works! :) The turn signal is in the drivers foot rest and is blue and blue/red. Yes i use a multi meter. And the first wire i connected to was the orange / YELLOW. And the parking lights worked. But the headlights came on together with the parking lights. Therefore i continued the search. And i found 2 more wires, but they did exactly the same. I have now changed my diodes from 1 to 6 amps, and it seems okay. Just a little warm now :)
|