LED Lighting - Information and Advances

[glenn-k]

This sounds like it could get to be an interesting topic, so without pulling things away from the other one I am starting a new one.  Glenn

Thanks for the feedback.
This looks like a fun place to hang out. Unfortunately we only have VERY slow dialup available to us here, and are on one line, so I'm not able to spend the time on such forums. We're looking into getting a wireless feed from a neighbor (~1/2 mi) who has satellite broadband - that would help.

I AM interested in the availability and affordability of (white) LED for spot and area lighting, too. We currently use cheap, colored Christmas light LED strings around the ceiling-wall edges of some rooms for low-level area lighting, and I've wired in ceiling outlets in our new addition for just this purpose.
As I understand it, white LED's are so expensive because of the technology needed to make true white light and because that technology is under patent. There's also an issue with using AC to power the LED's, as the diodes can only use half of the wave form. They operate more efficiently on DC. A wall-wart (converter) can be used, but that lowers the efficiency, too.

[glenn-k]

Part of my reason for moving this topic here is that I am 100% off grid at the Underground Cabin so this is of interest to me.

I read an article recently about a breakthrough in White LED technology.  Here is a link to it.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=27731

[Daddymem]

Here are some LED light bulbs from x-treme geek (a great place for cool and odd geeky things):
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=10131
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=8251
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=9334
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=9335
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=9336

[jraabe]

Thanks for those links Daddymem, when we were doing the Hall project the LEDs were options only for low level lighting such as exit signs. LEDs have already replaced incandescents in many locations where bulb changes are expensive (traffic lights, etc.)

More options for home use will be rolling out over the next couple of years and prices will drop.

Ten years from now a flashlight with a filament bulb will be a collectors item for the nostalgia crowd to buy on eBay.

[Daddymem]

How about this overview:
http://www.toolbase.org/techinv/techDetails.aspx?technologyID=210

[Daddymem]

More LED stuff:
http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/led-under-cabinet-lighting.aspx (more linked on the upper right)
Article linked in the above:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060527/bob9.asp

Neat products on this site, lots of wind-up electronics and this is pretty interesting:
http://www.ccrane.com/more-categories/alternative-power/freeplay-freecharge-weza-portable-energy-source.aspx

Free library from same company:
http://www.ccrane.com/library/index.aspx

[Amanda_931]

Hmm.  Well I just turned on a 36 LED light that is hanging (needs to be taped or something--and they say that tape is fine) from my 12 v light system.  It's kind of a strange light.  With that very definite shadow that LED's have.  Somewhere between bright-white and blue-white.  

Not cheap, but I was having some electrical problems, so this seemed like the best idea (the idea that worked was to get a new battery)

From these guys (under "other" bulbs)

http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm

Not this one--base is wrong, but that's the idea.  `123 milliamp current draw.



those other guys look like they have some more stuff--like that out-of-stock undercounter light.

[Billy Bob]

I am still amazed by the LED's evolution.  I bought a small flashlight a few years ago to go hiking with, and it was phenomenal.  I did the whole Presidential Range of the NH White Mountains with the original battery, and it was still going strong about a month later when I lost the little booger. [smiley=embarassed.gif]
I will definitely incorporate some into my Small House.

[jwv]

I am so glad you started this thread-I've been slowly looking into this.  We had all compact fourescents in the off-grid house and we have strings and strings of LED Christmas lights.  I want some track lighting in this home and have been looking for LEDs.  Thanks again, you all know everything.

Judy

[glenn kangiser]

I have one of the LED flashlights with four white LED's - runs on 2 AA cells and and in about 8 months since I bought it, I have never had to change the batteries.  It is always ready with it's hazy blue tint light and fits in the loop of my cell phone holder.  I use it daily.

[Amanda_931]

Knife Center of the Internet has been having a sale on those funky 3-v batteries that really work better than the A-series in flashlights they were designed for.  (they've also got a nice selection of inexpensive machetes and other clearing tools in varied sizes--not just the huge ones that one sees all the time)

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/lights/

[Chuckca]

Check out C. Crane and Company:  Lot's of interesting items.

www.ccrane.com

They have a good selection of LED bulbs.

[bigcozy]

Like you guys to check out one of my favorite places:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/

It's mostly flashlights, but there is more info on LED than you could ever read.  Several alternative energy and engineers on there too.  Very informative and very nice bunch of folks.

[Amanda_931]

"throwies" sounded great--until I read about the environmental consequences.

A topic on the forum big cozy mentioned.

(they may still sound great!)

http://www.instructables.com/id/E9D2ZJ3FG0EP286JEJ/?ALLSTEPS

[Amanda_931]

treehugger mentioned this company

Unfortunately they want everyone to email them for a price and specifications and delivery quote.  Doesn't seem like they really want to sell to us just yet.

But they've got LED bulbs--excuse me, lamps--that can be the equivalent of 60 watts incandescent in a couple of shades of white--warm and cool--fit into standard sockets, have internal surge protection, and other wonderful things..

http://www.mulelighting.com/details.asp?id=64

[John Raabe]

Last night driving back home on the freeway, I had a new BMW behind me that had LED headlights. They were a very bright blue/white and, I expect, give the driver a good view of the road. However, the cut off line is very sharp and in my rear view mirror the strobe effect was very distracting whenever the car went over the slightest bump.

I wonder if that will be able to be fixed with the optics of the lens?

[JRR]

Just put the pedal-to-the-metal in that Bugatti of yours ... that'll take care of it!

[John Raabe]

My Yugo would need an afterburner to get out ahead of that Beemer.  

[Amanda_931]

Just wait until you're ahead of some, ahem, wonderful motorcycle rider with the blinking (and LED) lights.

"Oh, but they make everybody see me, I'm so much safer"

Unless they inspire road rage or some odd kind of neurological reaction to blinking lights.

[bigcozy]

Those blue-white lights aren't LED, they are HID.  Much brighter and very, very, very expensive.  How do I know?  I am BMW owner, the lights actually get stolen and they leave the rest of the car alone.  

[Amanda_931]

A bit curious about how come they are using them for automobile lights--May not be great for your eyes with a great line of cars coming your way--don't know about in the mirror.

http://www.halcyon.net/lights/hid-faq.shtml

CAUTION: Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation is emitted from metal halide lamps. Possible skin or eye irritation can result from exposures exceeding 15 minutes. Do not stare at exposed lamp in operation.

[bigcozy]

I assume because they are so powerful, really remarkable when you hit the brights.  The cost is starting to come down some, so we may see them on more cars.  I know that LEDs are being used for tail lights on a number of cars.  Great advantage because they are almost impossible to burn out.

I am hoping that LED home lights get here, I live on a boat some of the time and it would be nice to run my lights on battery without worrying about running them down.