Amen. If I may suggest a simple, CHEAP, way to get any and all the diodes you might want or need...
(Drum roll please)
Old computer power supply(ies)
Yep, they have pretty darned good Shottky 'fast response' diodes in them, in pretty robust packages. (And the great part is, they are usually already mounted to a pretty good heat sink) They often come in a package which looks at first like a large transistor, but will have marking like this:
->|<-
Representing that there are TWO diodes in the package, with one common connection. In the example I gave, which is the most common arraingment, the common connection is the cathode, leaving the anodes seperate. These diode pairs will be very, VERY closely matched... Better than you could do with a DMM or DVM. I have seen them with up to as much as 40 amps rating PER LEG! Typical is around 20 or 30 amps per packege, (pair) and then the next-up size, also common, about the same PER DIODE. 10 to 15 amps per diode also common. I can provide some links to sites which will help you find out what you have. (There are also 'discrete', or single, diodes in there too)
With such diodes redily available, no reason to skimp on the amps ratings. Simple to double up if needed, solder up another pair. Heck, they'er free!
Any computer power supply will have several of these, and if you start looking, it won't be long before you have people offering YOU old and/or dead power supplies, and whole computers too, for that matter. (Be careful, the leftover 'junk' can be hard to get rid of in some places) I salvage LOTS of old and not-so-old power supplies, and I use everything but the squeal. Especially the fans. And large electro caps. And bridge rectifiers, and so on and so on. Anyone, even in the most out-of-the-way places can come by an old computer or two. (There's always eBay... Shipping might cost more than the danged thing is worth, though!)
Point is, a very simple test with a DMM, or even a simple homemade go/nogo tester will sort out which diodes are good, and which way is anode or cathode. No reason to pass up free or almost free parts, and put them back to work, rather than in the landfill. (If interested, email for plans for a very simple, cheap, easy go/nogo tester made with a flashlight 'D' cell and a bulb from same)
Saftey note: Capacitors in these power supplies can and DO hold a LEATHAL charge for some time after unpluging... Discharge caps first THING! If you don't know how... Email me, and I'll teach you how.
Junkman
Therealjunkman@Yahoo.com