Surge protector for DCC controllers ?

[Jim Nilsen]

I have a diode that I believe may be the surge protector for the trunk mounted battery fix they sell.

Is this the part they send or is it something else? I expected a much larger part.

[Jim Nilsen]

I really need this answer to feel safe about starting my car.
So if you have the answer please share.

Thanks

[baskin]

Just get the largest body 220 uf - 470 uf capacitor that will fit between the input and gnd terminals, they're polarized, so + needs to go to the input side. The quality is determined by the money spent, expect to pay about 5.00 ea. The surge protector piece is redundant, it's added for an extra measure of protection. If you want to install the surge protector, any 1.5kw, 24V protector will work, it's just wired parallel to the capacitor, some are polarized, some aren't.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just get the largest body 220 uf - 470 uf capacitor that will fit between the input and gnd terminals, they're polarized, so + needs to go to the input side. The quality is determined by the money spent, expect to pay about 5.00 ea. The surge protector piece is redundant, it's added for an extra measure of protection. If you want to install the surge protector, any 1.5kw, 24V protector will work, it's just wired parallel to the capacitor, some are polarized, some aren't.

Can I start the car without them and not damage the controllers?

Thanks for the help it is greatly appreciated.

[baskin]

Can I start the car without them and not damage the controllers?

Thanks for the help it is greatly appreciated.

It'll probably be fine, but I'd install the caps first. You can get a 470 uF cap that will work for a couple of months at radio shack for a couple of dollars if you want to start it today. The controllers might also not start without the capacitors. You can check the controllers by just applying 12V to the AC input