Probably the original application was in an automotive alternator embedded into a massive heat sink and with perhaps 50 CFM of airflow constantly.

 

Yeah, you might want to think about devices that are capable and built to be designed for heat-sink mounting, such as the alternator variety mentioned.
e.g. pressed-in versions.

 

Probably the original application was in an automotive alternator embedded into a massive heat sink and with perhaps 50 CFM of airflow constantly.

Could be. I've not compared spec sheets from several different mfgrs. for this part number. There are even Schottky versions, which seems weird -- I thought the "10" in the part number referenced the 1000v Piv, and that Schottky "20A10" I saw a datasheet for yesterday had a PIV of (somewhat expected for its type) 70v.

 

Yeah, you might want to think about devices that are capable and built to be designed for heat-sink mounting, such as the alternator variety mentioned.
e.g. pressed-in versions.

View attachment 316484

Yeah, that's the fallback plan. I also have a 200 amp diode out in the shop somewhere. Not sure of the voltage rating but IIRC it came out of a 480v 3-phase device. It'd be it's own heatsink, but it's not gonna fit in a "handi-box"!

 

Yeah, that's the fallback plan. I also have a 200 amp diode out in the shop somewhere. Not sure of the voltage rating but IIRC it came out of a 480v 3-phase device. It'd be it's own heatsink, but it's not gonna fit in a "handi-box"!

Update: Well, I couldn't find my little bottle of flux for Aluminum and Aluminum to Copper, etc. Rats! But, it has been 15+ years since I'd used it... So... I went looking for soft Copper I can "coppersmith" with. Heh, this should last me the rest of my life: https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...il-tubing/22100076/p-1444436527694-c-8565.htm

They have an 11% rebate going too...

 

I have seen examples of heat sinking using just #12 solid wire soldered to component leads. Ugly appearance indeed but effective.

 

Remember that rectifiers come in easily heatsink packages like TO-220.

 

would a Schottky diode dissipate less heat? What do space heater MFG's use?

 

would a Schottky diode dissipate less heat? What do space heater MFG's use?

I doubt very much that the manufacturers ever use a diode in a space heater.

 

I doubt very much that the manufacturers ever use a diode in a space heater.

I just looked inside one, and the low/high switch is either direct or through a shrink wrapped bulge (diode)? on half power. Next time I take it apart I guess I will test if it's a diode. Not sure what else it could be?

 

I am amazed! Usually the high/lo selection would go to a tap on the heating coil. The lump will be a diode, I am sure. It must be cheaper to do it that way now.