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Forum Index : Other Stuff : Led lighting
| Author | Message | ||||
| VK4AYQ Guru  Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi All I have been trialing LED lights for some months now and the results are that the High voltage LED lights used as direct replacement for 240 volt are a waste of time as they have a 80% failure in my testing, it is not the leds that ail but the voltage reducer built into the light, after removing the reducer the leds operate fine from low voltage, with ballast resistor of course. On the other hand the 12 volt rated lights have only one failure and that was a dry solder joint in the ballast. I accidentally connected one across 24 volts, it got very bright and the smell of magic smoke from the ballast resistor but it didn't die, somewhat fool proof with me being the fool in this case. Conclusion: High voltage rated lights are a waste of money at this time in the future regulators may increase in reliability, like the Monkey said,"that remains to be seen". Low voltage ones have proved to be over 90% reliable if connected properly, and kept away from fools. The 12 volt down light from 5 to 10 watts gave the best results, the strip lights where also very good. Lights where sourced from china and local suppliers who import from China. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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Downwind Guru Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
The problem with making something "Fool Proof" is Fools will always find a way to prove the design wrong, making them smarter than the designer. 
I often wonder what is actually "Fool Proof" in life?? (death??) 
Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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| Georgen Guru Joined: 13/09/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 462 |
I don't have many LED's, and none of them failed yet. Must be lucky. My gripe is that information on "Equivalent Wattage" to old type globes is massive exaggeration (in my opinion) As well as “Temperature” of light, when warm can be anything from piercing bluish to just white. I’ve got few 12V “Warm White” LED’s and they are nice warm white with Voltage kept just under 9V Anything above that and “temperature” of light changes to just white. George |
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| VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi George I also found that the claims of light output where to high, I would say that a 8 watt LED compares to a 15 watt incandescent. The thing is I suppose that they are far better than candles or Kero lamps, so for a minimal system they are effective but have a long way to go to compete with convential lighting as we know it now, the possible exception is the CRE led as I gave a torch with one that makes a good light or adjusted for point focus is effective for a spotlight to 40 meters. I tried some CRE down lights and they make a good reading light, but in the 240 volt version very limited life of the down converter that's built in. on 12 volts they seem to go forever. Have tried to dim the 12 volt ones but not a real success. The 12 volt one I inadvertently connected on 24 volts lit up like laser diodes, so I can see your point on the colour temperature very voltage dependant. All in all the 12 volt ones make a good alternate lighting system for non powered sights compares to earlier attempts with conventional light globes from 5 to 15 watts. The thing is not to expect to much from them, and in a emergency situation or remote cabin or tempory shelter they are a lot better and safer than candles or Kero lamps. All the best Bob  Foolin Around |
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| windlight Guru Joined: 03/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 331 |
My suggestion is be very careful about the rated operating voltage 220v is not good enough for our 240v because of the resistor capacitor method of voltage dropping in some LED devices. I have changed my kitchen over to LED and find the light far whiter than the compact fluros, and no failures yet,well except for my typing skills, memory and energy, all went missing a few weeks ago. Just one thing I would like to add here is I purchased a 5v 24 LED board 5v 24 led I run it off a mobile phone charger in the kitchen, acts as a great night light and even gives enough light for me to do the dishes in the evening, as it is 5V DC it could be run off any voltage bank direct with one of the many step down units available. Even the very expensive auto night light (240V) purchased through Woolworths has faded to nada in less that 12 months. So yes there is a lot of CARP out there and I guess it is us users, by necessity who have to sort the wheat from the chaff. Allan FNQ "I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - (Act II, Scene IV). |
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