My LEDs
FYI: I have been posting updates for those of us who have already read the OP below. For anyone new to the thread, it might be best to skip down below all of these updates, read the body of the post...
Forum Discussion
Stuff you need to know:
LEDs are current operated devices.
The forward voltage drop in an LED is ~1.2 Volts (varies with temperature).
The light output is a function of the forward current.
The forward current is kept at a safe value by using a "buck regulator" or with a "series resister".
Buck regulators generate RFI; series resistors do not.
There is an integrated circuit called an "LM217" regulator that can be wired as a programmable analog constant current regulator. Because it is an analog device, it generates NO RFI. It will perform quite nicely over the input range of 9 to 37 Volts in this application.
The LM217 can be used as the basis of an LED dimmer.
LEDs are current operated devices.
The forward voltage drop in an LED is ~1.2 Volts (varies with temperature).
The light output is a function of the forward current.
The forward current is kept at a safe value by using a "buck regulator" or with a "series resister".
Buck regulators generate RFI; series resistors do not.
There is an integrated circuit called an "LM217" regulator that can be wired as a programmable analog constant current regulator. Because it is an analog device, it generates NO RFI. It will perform quite nicely over the input range of 9 to 37 Volts in this application.
The LM217 can be used as the basis of an LED dimmer.
