Well, this is my first diary post, and I'm putting it here because it doesn't belong anywhere else, and I'd like to pick the brains of the knowledgeable people who frequent this board. I've been looking around, and I can get some pretty cheesy led bulbs from Autozone for $15 or so for two, but I've seen them in operation and don't consider them adaquate. Then I've found some good ones at ledtronics.com, but at $50 per bulb($100 for two), I'm a tad sticker-shocked. I have more time than money, and am certain I can build something similar for less money, as I can get super bright red led's for a buck each. The charging system on my truck runs at 14.7 volts. If I run 4 led's in series, with a 3.6 volt drop per led, that gives me 14.4 volts, and I don't think the extra current that .3 volts will push would hurt much at all. I could also use the 7812 chip mentioned on the led page of Otherpower.com to regulate to 12 volts even, and slightly under-power four led's in series. This would probably be the best way, as the led's wouldn't get dim when the engine is off. I have to look into how much amperage the 7812 chip will handle, the lifespan, the heat produced, the efficiency, and shock resistance. I'm thinking, if heat dissipation won't be a problem, of encasing the whole thing in hot glue or epoxy. Experimentation will tell, though. Anyone with experience, suggestions, or criticisms please let me know.
Demetri
P.S. The guy at the electronics shop was telling me about a red led he can get that will blind a person at three blocks away. It costs about $20 and draws about 1/3 of an amp. Hmmmmm........