On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 12:27:08 +0000, Robert Redelmeier wrote:

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips keith wrote:
glass-encapsulated diode from his pile-o-parts, bent the
leads about 3/4" apart and grabbed it with long-nosed pliers.
He then shoved it into the mains outlet and sure enough it lit
up, and quite brightly too! He did make some comment about
his reliability problems, or some such. I just about PMP. ;-)

Well, OK. But now traffic engineers are installing LED traffic
light replacement bulbs specifically _for_ reliability?

They're more efficient too. LEDs are a few times more efficeint and the
monochromatic light is particularly suited for traffic lights. OTOH, in
the '60s...

Also note that some cars are using LEDs for tail lights. Headlights
are still a bit of a problem.

Daisy chain a dozen or so LEDs all facing one way, and plug it in. Face
another set the other way. Parallel as many as you need for brightness.
Nicely vibration resistant.

Hmm, face another set the other way and you can plug 'em into AC. I
thought these things were a tad more specialized than that though.

--
Keith