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Allure lower brake lights

Yahoo Message Number: 102260
I am back from Shipshewana and Madison and working on my brake problem that I wrote about earlier. Some of you advised that since my center brake light and tow plug brake lights work, that the signal for the lower brakes must be getting to the rear cap plug and that the problem might be corrosion there. I did find out that the combined turn/brake American system uses the same wires for the turn and lower brake lights. The lower brake lights go through the turn signal switch in the steering column before coming to the rear.

I believer I have isolated the problem to a burnt diode in the brake wire that is part of the steering column wire bundle. I have not had much luck looking for diodes. Does anyone recognize this diode despite the burnt tape? I need to find a replacement. Maybe you know what would be needed in a 12 V automotive application.

Thanks, and sorry if the pic is upside down.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093
Rome, GA

Re: Allure lower brake lights [1 Attachment]

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102268
George,

I am an EE and have specified and used most every common type of    diode made in the last 40 years.
 Based on the photo and the application, that is likely a SR505 or    SR805 schottky diode. Commonly used 1157 or 1156 brake lamp bulbs    are 27 Watt lamps and will draw more than 2 Amps each, thus a 1 Amp    diode will not do the job. The SR505 is a 5 Amp, 50 Volt diode and    the SR508 is an 8 Amp, 50 Volt.
 If there are more than two lamps on this circuit you will need the    SR805 or you could parallel two or more SR505's.

You can get the SR505 from Mouser electronics:
 http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Taiwan-Semiconductor/SR505/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvAvBNgSS9Lqk4WPS1zhVCC

The SR805 is a non-stocked item with them. They will sell you just    one part if that is what you need, that is, there is no minimum    order.

Dave

2000 Allure #30444

Re: Allure lower brake lights

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102273
The diode in the picture does not appear to be big enough for a 7 amp  diode. It looks to be about 5/16" in diameter. If so it is most likely a 1 amp  diode. Go to Radio Shack, go to the diode drawer and you will find one.

Mikee

Re: Allure lower brake lights

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102275
I tend to remember that diode only prevents the brake light signal from  going back to the engine brake. I am not sure it carries 7 amps.

Mikee
 

Re: Allure lower brake lights

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102279
Thanks, Dave. I went to town yesterday to find a diode. Radio Shack has closed down, but I did find an electronics shop with a seemingly knowledgeable owner. He scraped off some burnt material revealing line one: 348, and line two: 6A05. The second line gets a hit on the internet as a 6A, 50V diode similar to what you recommend.

The shop owner stocked a 6A, 600V. He said the voltage did not matter, so I bought it. What do you think about that? Is he right? The one I bought is made by NTE Electronics and is NTE5815.

There are four bulbs in the lower brake lights, so according to what you are saying, I should have an 8A diode in the circuit, but Country Coach used a 6A. Maybe that is why it burned? Do you think 6A is adequate, or should I buy an 8A @ 50V?

Thanks again,

George Harper
04 Allure 31093
Rome, GA