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Answering the debate on whether or not the light output is AC or DC. The output signal is varying from o volts to plus (insert 10-18 volts depending on P'supply input.) It does not go below zero volts, therefore in one sense it is varying DC voltage, and will measure as DC on a DC input to your meter. However if you measure it on an AC meter, then the waveform looks roughly like a sine wave and will measure as AC. However the reality is that it is DC, that is if you put a LED (or diode) across it, then one end of the Diode will always have positve jolts, while the other has negative jolts. Therefore care must be taken to get the polarity right. Note that measurements obtained on either DC or AC meters are not accurate. The DC meter is only averaging what it sees., and the AC meter is cailbrated to read sine waves, not complex waves. For the purpose of calculating resistor values for 1.5v bulbs, the best bet is to build the little experimental resistor matrix that was a recent MR mag article. Same arguement applies to pulse controllers, the output goes from zero to plus 12-16 volts with a variable pulse width determining the energy available to drive the DC motor. Throw the reverse switch and the output is still zero to 12-16 volts, but the zero changes from the left to right rail or vice versa. Again you can measure an inaccurate DC voltage or AC voltage.
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