Yup I bought 10 of them. This is my first experience with diodes that don't emit light haha. Anyway, since a diode prevents the electrons from traveling in a certain direction, would you wire up the diodes in the way you posted?
Yes, they should definitely be orientated exactly as shown in the following diagram:
Click on diagram to enlarge it.
Diode
A allows the brake signal voltage to travel to ground via either of the brake switches when either switch contacts are closed
(brakes applied), but also prevents the 12V passing through the relay windings from making its way up the brake signal wire and back into the controller when the brake switch contacts are both open
(brakes not applied).
I'm not sure which side of the brake cable I add the diode to since I have already spliced both cables to go to the relay before. Am I wiring it up for a forward bias or a reverse bias? A forward Bias right?
The Black and Blue brake switch wires can be connected either way around as the mechanical brake switches are not polarity sensitive and will allow current flow in either direction. Just make sure that diode
A connects to the brake signal wire from the controller and not the Black ground wire and it must be orientated as shown.
Diode
B allows current to flow through the relay windings to ground
(activating the relay) when either of the brake switches are closed, but its main purpose is to prevent the regen from permanently engaging in the unlikely event of the DC/DC converter suddenly failing, as it will prevent a dead DC/DC converter from effectively grounding out the brake signal wire when the output of the DC/DC converter is at 0V instead of 12V.
Both diodes must allow forward bias
and prevent reverse bias, as no current should be allowed to flow through either diode in the reverse direction.
Hopefully this has clarified the intended purpose of the two diodes.
Alan
