I have a question about the 6 amp diode actually.  I put in the diode in
case the power and ground were connected backwards.  Is this diode
really needed?  The only reason I ask is I need to connect more lights
(about 10 amps worth) and this is the limiting factor.  It's mounted on
the PCB and anything bigger will be a TO-220 or stud mounted device --
ugly and cumbersome but doable.

      (view only with fixed-pitch font)

                          +12
                            |
                           ---
                           \ /  6 Amp diode
                           ---
                            |
                            x---x--------------x
                            |   |  /           |
                          [1K] /--             |
                            |   /\ 15V       S |
                            |   |           |--x P-channel MOSFET
                            x---x---------| |      IRF5305
                            |               |--x
                          [1K]               D |
                            |                  |
                            |           x------x
        PIC               |/            |      |
         o-----[Rg/Rb]----|            ---     |
                          |\E          / \  {incandescent lamps - 5 Amps
total}
                            |          ---     |
                            |           |      |
         0V-----------------x-----------x------x

P.S. -- Thanks to Sphero for most of this diagram from an earlier mail!


Bill

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