Full-Wave Rectifier / LED Turn Signals

Windrac said:

All,

After installing high-clearance fender flares, I replaced the side markers with round 3/4" LED marker lights. Since the (at least the post-facelift) side markers use current one direction for marker and the other direction for turn signal flashing, these LEDs pretty quickly smoked. Apparently they didn't have enough of a reverse breakdown voltage rating...

So I whipped up a small full wave rectifier and ordered a ton of them, because economies of scale. It was literally cheaper to order the components for 20 boards than it was to order components for 4. Diodes I'm using are the S2210A from SMC. Rated at 100V / 2A and the board is designed accordingly. With an optional output filter cap for higher frequencies than, you know, turn signals. These will solder in-line and will be easily covered by heat shrink.

These will be useful for a handful of other projects I have too, and for future use. Being hilariously over-rated for this application they're pretty flexible.

Will keep ya posted once the SMD boards come in and I assemble them.

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Jerry Bransford said:

Nothing wrong with 4 separate diodes, just curious why you didn't just buy a couple small bridge rectifiers like this... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BTPQZ2G/?tag=wranglerorg-20
or this... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y29M445/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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Windrac said:

Simply because I enjoy it. That's it.

RE capacitor, I just added the space. I'm not going to populate it for this application.

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Windrac said:

OK. I think I have some sitting around actually.

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Jerry Bransford said:

Nothing wrong with 4 separate diodes, just curious why you didn't just buy a couple small bridge rectifiers like this... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BTPQZ2G/?tag=wranglerorg-20
or this... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y29M445/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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drivera3448 said:

How do you wire in the bridge rectifier?

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Jerry Bransford said:

This is how I'd do it. A small 20v 2-5 amp bridge rectifier is cheap and available at any electronic supply or even Amazon. The smaller the better, LED side marker bulbs don't draw much.

The side marker wiring voltage switches polarity when the headlight switch is turned on or shut off so this will insure the voltage fed to a simple 2 wire side marker LED light like I use will not change polarity. You'll need one for each side. It's of course not needed for incandescent bulbs like the factory installed. The side marker wiring side of the rectifier doesn't care which way the wires are connected to it.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=20+volt+bridge+rectifier&crid=2PD3SBZMFCL7U&sprefix=20+volt+bridge+rectifie,aps,1802&ref=nb_sb_noss

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