Wiring Help Needed...

[Albuquerque Jim]

I am fairly competent with electronics. However, the use of diodes and such escapes me. I am using led switches from 4x4 mods http://www.4x4mods.com/Product/Jeep/Rockerswitches/rockerswitch40.html to wire my rock lights, and other things. The instructions I got with the switches say to use a relay with a blocking diode or to add one. http://pics.montypics.com/albuquerque_jim/2007-05-02/1178170040_relay_diode.jpg

I already have typical Bosch relays on hand and really don't want to spend more $ for new relays if I can add a diode. Does anyone know how to add a diode to my existing relays?

[PirateFins]

I'm not sure where they are asking for the diode to be in line with. But if it is the coil 85 86 of the relay look for a box with a line thru it( [/] )on the realy diagram. If it has that symbol between 85 86 then it has a diode internally. That diode prevents the realy from "chattering" on after power down.

[Cebby]

Here's more info:

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp
http://www.the12volt.com/diodes/diodes.asp
http://www.partsexpress.com/resources/relays.html
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/Relays.asp

This is the marking that should be on the relay if there is a diode present:

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/RelayDiagSPDTwD-S5.jpg
Sorry for the crappy pic.

AFAIK, the [/] symbol is the coil itself, not the diode. The diode is something like -->|-- (you can see it below the coil on the diagram posted above)