Brief Description: Wired diodes to Van's batt and starter contactors.
Got up late on a Sunday and had brunch instead of breakfast. Finally got to the garage about mid-afternoon and decided that I would wire up the diodes to Van's battery and starter contactors. Van's wants $12.75 for each prefabbed diode for the contactors. I bought the diodes for $0.29 each at Fry's Electronics. This was my first try at crimping so I used a few terminals and a bit of wire to practice. Not too difficult since I have the right tools that I got from B&C.
Vertical Power has a good document about wiring the diodes to the contactors on their website. I just followed their drawings and had them made up in short order. The battery contactor required just a #10 ring terminal and 5/16" terminal on each end of the diode. Just had to make sure which end to crimp where to get current flow correct in the diode. Used the same terminals on the starter contactor but I had to use a butt connector the lengthen the wire to connect to a mounting bolt for a ground. The other end went on the "S" terminal. Not using the "I" terminal yet but may use it later for a warning light.
Diode lengthened with butt connector to wire to start contactor.
