Diode Help!

[forestboy]

I have just bought an old T1200 lawn tractor (I knowm it's not really a car).

While cleaning it I found a dry solder on the simple circuit board on a diode.

The diode is between the 'battery charging' LED and the battery.

Now, the battery charging light glows faintly when they key is not in the ignition.

Is it possible the diode is kaput and letting current flow back to the LED? and by resoldering it I created the problem?

If so - what type of diode should I replace it with? The wiring diagram is older than me and doesnt stipulate!

The battery is also kaput BTW, I can't get cranking amps, and it only charges to 10v. I'm looking for another - could that explain it? Light always on when battery's done for?

Cheers,

FB

 

[Burnerman]

Hi Forestboy
You need a fairly high current diode for this one - indeed the original one is kaput as its allowing current to pass back through it - hence the glowing charging lamp. A diode is just an electrical valve, after all.
A diode such as a 1N5401 should do nicely, but do observe which way round it goes...there will be a silver band on the thing to guide you.
I guess Maplins would have such a thing, or you could try a agricultural / horticultural outlet such as Lloyds.
John