At 05:14 PM 2/18/02 +0000, you wrote: >You could always use a triac to soft start the lamp, then use relay contacts >across the triac when close to 100% current. Bit complex perhaps, but would >cut the losses, while being gentler on relay contacts. A fancier version of the hybrid relay! Sure, why not. ;-) The dimming effect would be pleasant. You could also have a very low brightness mode (energy/light saving) for late-night. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com 9/11 United we Stand -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.