B & S diode problem (too many wires)?

Question

I have a 5 horse Briggs and stratton running an atco lawnmower. The battery had been removed when I got it.

As soon as I fitted a battery (assumed negative earth) motor not running the wire which runs to the stator via a diode heated up and started to smoke on the battery side of the diode.

The diode has 4 wires coming from it, 2 going to the stator 1 earthing on the starter body and 1 to the battery as mentioned.

I think I have a faulty diode, but not sure.

If possible I would like to replace the diode with a two wire one as the 4 wire is astonishingly expensive (£27) is this possible, and what do I connect to where.

Answer 1

This sound like a diode bridge. It is used to convert (rectify) Alternating current into direct current to charge the battery (4 diodes in a diode bridge gives you full wave rectification). Replacing it with a single diode will greatly reduce the direct current ouput of the alternator which may have a detrimental effect on the operation of the lawnmower. Best to have it checked by someone who repairs small engines.