OT(ish): Using "Classic" CPU as power resistor...

Rumor has it that Brian L. Stuart may have mentioned these words: I was thinking of that (and was also suggested by a cow-orker) but I was unsure about how to handle the function of variable resistance WRT heat dissipation; and also, if a bulb fails, it fails open-circuit which means there's no more voltage regulation. I suppose with enough bulbs, one could build enough redundancy into the system... I may hit an auto-parts store tomorrow anyway and see what I can scare up; but having ready access to several CPUs (2 each 80486SX's & a P75 Overdrive on a quick search) I figured that a 5V CPU would be a good way to dissipate power from a 5V source, and the 486 would prolly have the highest current draw of any easily available 5V processor. But again, I could very well be wrong... No, I'm *not* using any of my 6809s!!! ;-) Thanks! Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- Roger "Merch" Merchberger | "Bugs of a feather flock together." sysadmin, Iceberg Computers | Russell Nelson zmerch at 30below.com |