Alternator Problem

I have a 1954 Chevy, its been converted to 12 volt. I installed an alternator with a DA plug that has a diod in it. When the ingnition is on and the car is not running the diod gets really hot. I 've tried 2 different alt. and a different DA plug, but it still gets hot. I've checked all my wiring, and based on everything I've read I have it wired correctly. Has anyone run into this problem? How did you fix it?

 

i skip the diod, and put a small alt. warning light inline with the exciter curcuit line. it has enough juice to make sure the car doesnt keep running when you turn off the ignition.

 

X2! The only other thing I can think of is the diode in line backwards.

 

Diode does not handle the current needed to excite the field and gets hot. Go with the bulb solution and see what happens.