Cletis,
So it is a balance of power. The key is turned on and the light recieves 12 volts of current. Simultaneously, there is zero curent being recieved from the alt on the alt side of the bulb. Thus the current is allowed to flow through bulb, lighting it, and kicking in the alternator regualtor in charging mode. When the alt side voltage of the bulb is equal to the switch side of the bulb, no current will flow, therefore the light goes out (technically I guess it gradually dims until it goes off completely). Cool!
Stuart,
Unfortunatley, I was not that far ahead in the thinking and Cletis squared me away on the first part; you do adress my second thought though, what do I need to do to insure the alt kicks into charging mode if the bulb does not funtion or come up missing? Let's say, a girlfreind steals it? How do I prevent myself from driving home from the strip joint, noticing the headlights are gradually getting dimmer, wind up stranded on the side of the road, and having to call her for a jump? Wire a resistor or something in parallel conducive the needs of the voltage regulator or straight wire?
Brett
