On Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:48:23 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:58:12 -0600, "
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:43:40 -0500, wrote:

How do you "just vary the current" efficiently, without chopping it? It
doesn't have to be a lot faster but you're right, 60Hz doesn't cut it IMO.

Since the currents are so low, a rheostat may not be out of the
question.

Huh? Sure they are. You might just as well use incandescent lights.

OK you have a string of LEDs dropping about 95% of the line voltage
and a resistor dropping the rest and limiting current now. How can
making that resistance more by adding a rheostat in series be more
inefficient?

Resistors heat == inefficient