RE: Re: Illuminated window switches; repair

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

Roland Broberg <broberg@execpc.com> wrote in part:

.......  Don't cut out the resistor as you
need that to cut the voltage from 12+ to 5V.   

Actually, the LED operates closer to 2 V, depending on the current through
it.  I replace the OEM resistor with a 1000 ohm 1/4 watt to operate the
Radio Shack LED at about one-half its rated current to improve its life.
The resulting brightness seems to equal that of the unmodified switches.   I
suspect the LEDs are subject to voltage transients when the window motors
stop, and the OEM ones fail for that reason.  LEDs should outlive the owner
of the car, if properly protected.

                .... Kirby   (Kirby A. Smith)
                              2 x 1988 90q
                          New Hampshire USA