Diode for anchor/masthead light

[Shane anthony]

Sorry if this is a simple question that’s been covered many times. Sometimes it seems I have the most trouble with the simple stuff . Been searching this forum and google still not able to figure out what to buy off Amazon. I’m just wanting to use two wires to run the circuit, both lights have LED’s and wanted to use a double pole switch and need to know what diodes to order off amazon. Thank You in advance

[Russ]

Test your current LEDs. By definition, they are diodes and will only work with polarity that is correct.

I wired steaming and anchor light with the same 2 wires and reverse the polarity to toggle between them.

Now some LEDs are not polarity sensitive. I don't understand how that works, but my anchor light was like that and did not respect polarity. So I found some old electronic device that died and pulled out a diode and soldered it in the circuit.

I don't know much about diodes or how to rate them. Mine looked like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/MCIGICM-15SQ045- ... ref=sr_1_2

[Shane anthony]

Test your current LEDs. By definition, they are diodes and will only work with polarity that is correct.

I wired steaming and anchor light with the same 2 wires and reverse the polarity to toggle between them.

Now some LEDs are not polarity sensitive. I don't understand how that works, but my anchor light was like that and did not respect polarity. So I found some old electronic device that died and pulled out a diode and soldered it in the circuit.

I don't know much about diodes or how to rate them. Mine looked like this one.


https://www.amazon.com/MCIGICM-15SQ045- ... ref=sr_1_2

Thanks Russ, I’m not much of a electronics wizard either. Good idea pulling that diode out of a dead device, that’s great it worked out. Was just trying to be thrifty on the amount wires incase I want to add electronic bells and whistles on top of the mast. But maybe it’s just easier to wire the anchor, masthead/deck light separately. After all it’s only one extra wire anyhow. Thanks again for the reply

[Russ]

I didn’t want to pull another wire through the cabin.

Just put a diode in one side of one of the fixtures. That is if the LEDs are not behaving like diodes. Plus deck fittings.

Since it is not legal to have both anchor light and steaming light it works great. All I had to do was add a DPDT switch by the switch panel.

[Hamin' X]

need to know what diodes to order off amazon. Thank You in advance

These will work properly: Amazon Diodes

Wiring details Here

[Shane anthony]

need to know what diodes to order off amazon. Thank You in advance

These will work properly: Amazon Diodes

Wiring details Here

Thank You!

[Shane anthony]

I didn’t want to pull another wire through the cabin.

Just put a diode in one side of one of the fixtures. That is if the LEDs are not behaving like diodes. Plus deck fittings.

Since it is not legal to have both anchor light and steaming light it works great. All I had to do was add a DPDT switch by the switch panel.

Thank You!