I am shopping my IJ and just want to make sure I am putting the diodes in their correct orientation. My research leads me to believe that in general the direction does not matter but that orienting the diode away from the coil stop (i.e. The coil sleeve protruding out the side of the coil with the diode)is the best practice to minimize chance of damage to the diodes. Is this correct thinking or are there coils that should always be oriented a specific direction?

Great, thank you for clarification. So other than the flipper coils, does it really matter which direction the diode is facing?

What causes the magic smoke out? Sorry to asking, but these type of technical issues are very interesting to me.' I am starting to find I enjoy tinkering with the mechanics of my machine almost as much as playing it.

I see. So the most important thing is proper wiring of the diode. Assuming the wires are connected properly, the coil can face either direction but it is best to keep the wired end of the coil (properly wired, of course) on the opposite side from the coil stop--right? I am sorry if I am confusing in my questions but whoever shopped my IJ machine before I got it had put the wrong coils on and seemed to orient them in different directions. I just want to make sure I put them back in right.

Now I understand. I think I was not using the correct terms which was leading to my confusion. Where I was saying "diode", I should have been using the term "lug". Your explanation makes sense.

Thanks to all of you on Pinside who have knowledge that you are willing to share that helps newbs like me out. I have only been a member on this site for a few weeks and the community effort to help others is unlike any other forum I have seen.