Diodes - for switches

when I wired my switches, i have the power as a constant and the grounds are being switched. will a diode work on the ground side? everything seems fine when i test it, but it won't work when everything is connected.

also, is there a certain 'size' diode i should be using?

im assuming you made a constant hot to valves also. it should work w/ out a diode...

The hot on the valves is wired directly to the power source at all times. Then the grounds are hooked to the switches to complete the ciruit and open the valves.

I need the diodes because the ground backfeeds through the pancake switch causing all the valves to open with any switch. So the diode should stop the back feeding when using just the switch for the Fronts, for example. I could use relays but a diode is much easier and smaller.

y not just unhook the pancake switch

Edited: 6/28/2006 10:11:15 AM by thunderbird

mine are wired the same way but I never put the pancake switch in. I bought diodes and everything. I posted a pic of the diode, remember that? I still have it if you need ti see it. They should work fine on the ground side or the 12V side.

do you have the diode reversed? Did you try flipping it around?

You are going to need a diode for each switch wire, the ground can jump common from the other switches.

pancake is lame anyways...

Originally posted by sweeden



pancake is lame anyways...

I know, but the wiring is already done and the switch is molded into my console already.

Yeah I remember you posting a picture scott but it was a long time ago. you had some goofy looking diode.

i was testing things yesterday with some diodes i had laying around it it seemed to work fine. i haven't acually hooked anything up yet. however, i way back when, i did this before but when everything was hooked up, it didn't work. i did find out that the diode has to be in the opposite direction for the ground. i guess it makes sense when you think about, based on the flow of the current.