quick electrical question for you electronic gurus

[hiball3985]

Is there a positive or negative side to a resistor? I'm finished painting the dash and have only one electrical thing to finish before assembly starts.

[JimNolan]

NO

[hiball3985]

NO

Thanks

[Alex L.]

Unless you're talking about a variable resistor?

[hiball3985]

Unless you're talking about a variable resistor?

It's just a standard resistor, if there is such a thing..

[Zapato]

ok, this is going back to electric shop class freshman year in the 60s, if used in series voltage will only flow one way can be used to keep any voltage to spike back, but at the same time if backwards in the circuit well it just a shut off valve. relying on 45 plus years of memory on this one so hopefully someone will chime in.

Zap-

[hiball3985]

ok, this is going back to electric shop class freshman year in the 60s, if used in series voltage will only flow one way can be used to keep any voltage to spike back, but at the same time if backwards in the circuit well it just a shut off valve. relying on 45 plus years of memory on this one so hopefully someone will chime in.

Zap-

That was my problem, a lot of what I learned in the 60's about electronics is now kind of fuzzy. I got it wired in and tested so I should be alright..

[Alex L.]

Zap, that sounds like a diode? I'm pretty sure a regular resistor is a two way thing, like a light bulb.

[hiball3985]

Zap, that sounds like a diode? I'm pretty sure a regular resistor is a two way thing, like a light bulb.

I'm using it as a path with resistance if the light bulb goes out.

[Ecode70D]

Zap, that sounds like a diode? I'm pretty sure a regular resistor is a two way thing, like a light bulb.

I agree 100 percent with Alex L.

[Ford Blue blood]

Resistors don't care which way current flows, diodes will only allow current to flow one way. 

The most common use of diodes in automobiles is isolation and "back swing" protection.  Back swing is the voltage generated when the electromagnetic field around a realy coil (or any coil for that matter) collapses, that voltage is the opposite polarity of the control voltage used to operate the relay.

I believe you are talking about the resistor that is used to provide "keep alive" voltage to the alternator or generator regulators should the indicator bulb burn out....

[hiball3985]

I believe you are talking about the resistor that is used to provide "keep alive" voltage to the alternator or generator regulators should the indicator bulb burn out....

Yes thats exactly what I'm doing..