"Gordon Wedman" wrote in message
news:Nbv5f.26865$yS6.2060@clgrps12...
Not to be argumentative but.........
It seems to me that a typical masthead lamp uses about 20 watts. So with
the simple LED setup we are going from 20 watts to 6 watts. Not good
enough
though.
We have to add some electronics to get it down to 1.5 watts (and add $$$
to
the cost). Oh by the way, you can't transmit on your VHF now.

If done properly, it shouldn't be a problem.

Lastly, how big is a 5 watt resistor? I don't think this is all that much
heat. What about the heat from the 12 and 20 watt cabin lamps?

Have you ever touched a 12 watt bulb when lit?
To give you an indication, I have some electronics here with a voltage
regulator. this regulator is one of those components of 1/2" in width and
3/4" in length, with a metal tab that can be screwed to a heatsink. In this
design, the regulator burns 1.2 Watt. Without heatsink, it hurts when you
touch it. 5 Watts is enough to solder.

Meindert