Can you help identify this thing soldered onto rectifier disc?

[Birds]

I have been going over my KW trying to figure out why the whistle activation is wonky, and I found this part tucked away behind the disc and covered in old electrical tape.  The number on the part is "4E26".  There are no other markings.

Can anyone share what it is?

Here is a shot showing it in relation to the rectifier:

Secondly, this rectifier disc has a matt finish to it, and it is red on the edges.  Is this how it should look?

Thank you,

Chris 

[daan]

The big rectifier is gone long ago and someone put another rectifier in series with it, that one seems to be wacky as well. If the big one had blown while you where near to it, you would have searched the house for dog poo, because they smell like that when they give up.

 

[Birds]

This modification was done before the KW came into my hands.  I've had it since 1993, but the KW has spent most of those years in storage.

Sounds like the best thing might be to remove both and start over with a new one.

Any recommendations of whether it should be replaced with a reproduction of the original, or a modern (aka "Radio Shack") version?

Thanks,

Chris

[lionelsoni]

Modern silicon.

[Birds]

I'm not an electrical engineer...

Will a 6 amp rectifier be sufficient?

I've been been trying to find a 10 amp rectifier, but am not having any luck finding a source.  I've found a number of places that sell 6 amp rectifiers.

Thanks,

Chris 

[lionelsoni]

It doesn't have to carry nearly the full transformer current and what it does carry drops substantially when the shunt is in the circuit after the first instant.  So 6 amperes is probably plenty.

[Birds]

Thank you Bob.

Chris