audioguru said:If you use a 555 to make pulse-width-modulation to adjust the brightness of the LED, then with it turned down so the LED is turned off the 555 consumes a fair amount of battery power, unless it is a Cmos 555 driving a transistor to boost its power.
Kchriste's circuit draws nearly no battery current when it is turned down.
OK then I will scrap the 555 and go with the original idea of using a pot. Thank you for the advice.