Date:         Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:53:58 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Subject:      Westy fridge flame indicator light
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I brightened this up tonight by installing a brighter LED.  This has been
described numerous times.  It was pretty easy to do...  I'm sure somebody
has made  a nice web page describing  the process.  I used one of the super
bright white LEDs.  I have taken to buying things at the $1 store that have
these, and then hacking them to get the bulbs for various
projects.  Cheaper than I can find at other local sources.  I bought
several little USB powered lights that were designed to clip to the top of
your laptop screen and shine down on your keyboard.  Recently I found a
little "book light" with a bright white LED.  It's designed to clip onto
your book and shine down on the page you are reading.  Has a clip and
flexible neck and is powered by 3 little x76 watch batteries.  I'll use the
batteries in another device I have that needs them, and score another
bright white LED.

Anyway, I replaced the anemic green LED with the white one.  I hit the end
of it with some sandpaper to diffuse the light a bit, otherwise it is a
pretty pointy beam.  That thing is bright, and will be clearly visible in
the brightest daylight conditions.  At night it might make a good night
light shining at the sliding door, but will probably be too bright for me
and I'll turn off the panel.  It is helpful when lighting the fridge
because you can see if it is on even when it is just beginning to
glow.  With the green one I was always like, "is it lit?  Is that green
light on or not?  I think it's on.  wait, maybe not.  No, it's on.  Fridge
is lit.  No, it's not on.  Is it on?  I think it's on.  etc."

Edward