ZW rectifiers

[Anonymous]

What's involved with replacing a ZW transformer's whistle rectifiers with diodes? Is there a specialty piece made to fit, or do I just get any generic diode with a high enough amperage rating & somehow solder it into place?

[rlplionel]

To be safe, I would get the replacement part from a toy train parts dealer.

[Anonymous]

I believe that it would be easy to wire in a rectifier to take the place of the old copper disk but it would need to be a large one. With some safety factor it would need to be rated for a constant current carrying capacity of about 20 amps @ 50V. If you try this it would be a good idea to match the polarity of the exisiting rectifier.

[Anonymous]

1) Yes, I've been trying replacement parts suppliers & it's a tedious search for a non-standard part. Finding the original disc rectifiers is easy enough, but I want something more durable.
2) I guessed 25 amps to be safe & figured trial & error (or a DPDT switch) would get me either bells or whistles.

THANKS