This is the formula Wally. I know you will understand it. If not I can look for more ways to explain it.

LEDs are current driven, not voltage driven. So, by placing a resistor in series with the LED, that will reduce the current driving it. Most LEDs require anywhere from 5-40ma of current, so a easy formula is resistance=voltage/current. Actually the formula is voltage equals the supply voltage minus the forward drop of the diode, but for this implementation its close enough. For the 12volts, you have roughly 2400ohms on the dim side and 300ohms on the bright side

Or you can use a variable resistor and that will allow you to dim like ussual.

Wally I am not sure if you have ever been to this place but it is FANTASTIC for questions like this.

This link and there are many other embeded links talk about dimming LEDs. There are some issues but it can be done.

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/sh...ad.php?t=19805

Jon

These guys are pretty good, I changed all the lighting on my cruiser to LED. I can't remember how I found them, it was either someone on here or Ebay.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/

super bright LED yep they have actiual dimentions and lumens and color frequency. i did mine 2 years ago. works great and alot less current draw for when i spend the night on the water.

OK, thanks for ALL the help guys, I have found a place that sells LED lights and they are quite reasoable!, my one question is about color, my gauges are white faced Gaffrig's, and the bulbs that where originally in the gauges had "red" diffusers over them, however, some of the LED websites I checked out claim that you should use bulbs with the same color as your gauge faces?, which in my case are white. I could probably get away just fine with White bulbs, but, do like the look of the red light on the gauges, any thoughts???

AS ALWAYS, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Michael

cool dude thanks! :D

Get them on ebay. I did all of my guages but the compass for $8. My guages are white faced with orange needle. I put blue bulbs in there and it looked really good, made the need glow almost. I would think the white bulbs would do the same and look really good. White may be too bright and really hurt your night vision though. I dont know how to post pics on OSO or I would. For only $8, it was the most bling for the dolla I ever spent on the boat.

I would LOVE to replace mine for $8!, sadly, when I try and find them on Ebay I get about 10,000 results for "LED bulbs" and haven't found anyone [other than businesses] that sell them reasonable, do you happen to remember who you got them from??, that would be a great help!

Thanks!
Michael

Red:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x-T...1%7C240%3A1318

White:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x-T...1%7C240%3A1318

These are 194 bulbs, every livorsi compas I've seen is a 74 bulb, I think thats the size. Let me know and I'll find the same color bulb in that size.