Headlight Question.

jimi · April 25, 2005

I saw on some previous posts that you can wire your headlights so both high and low beams are on when you switch to high beams. The posts talked about using a low wattage diode but when I went to Radio Shack to get one the diodes were not rated by watts, the resistors were. Can someone clarify what I need to get? If it is a diode can I get specifics on what to buy?

BBSilverado · April 25, 2005

I saw on some previous posts that you can wire your headlights so both high and low beams are on when you switch to high beams. The posts talked about using a low wattage diode but when I went to Radio Shack to get one the diodes were not rated by watts, the resistors were. Can someone clarify what I need to get? If it is a diode can I get specifics on what to buy?

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You need a diode not a resister, get 1N4006, there are many different ones that will work. 1N4006 is the one I used and it works great.

GnatGoSplat · April 26, 2005

1N4001 is a good, common diode.

Any "small signal" or "general purpose" diode should work too.

99-2door · April 26, 2005

to add,

You want the didoe to stop power from feeding back through. A resistor won't do that.

snoman · April 26, 2005

The posts talked about using a low wattage diode but when I went to Radio Shack to get one the diodes were not rated by watts, the resistors were. Can someone clarify what I need to get? If it is a diode can I get specifics on what to buy?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You need a blocking diode so current capacity is not relavent here. FYI though in that diodes are rate in amperes or milliampes )micro amps if small enough) if they are rectifiers or blocking diodes and in wattage if they are zenier diodes.