Your theory on the diode is correct. I believe the Dyna technician is wrong. (I've spoken to them before and while they are very knowledgeable, they lack a little in electrical theory.) The diode would work in either place as you suggest and would drop 1 volt or so.
A 1-ohm resistor, where he suggests, would drop around 5 or 6 volts. The resistor would have to be at least 50 watts.
The resistor will reduce spikes more than the diode, but both won't really do what you need if it is capable of melting wires.
If the regulator is really bad enough to melt wires, it is probably putting out larger spikes than 15 volts. I would strongly suggest a new regulator.
Radio Shack carries diodes (not LED's) that will do the job of reducing the voltage by about 1 volt. You can put several in parallel to handle the current, or you can use a bridge rectifier as a big diode. It has a mount for a heat sink which must be used. The bridge will reduce by about 1.5 to 2 volts, but this won't be much good for a 20v spike.
The yellow wires can be swapped around no problem.
Here's what you need if you don't want to get a new regulator. The "ac" contacts should be connected to each other.
Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2006/04/26 14:17