OMG i dont know how to multi quote!!!! this is confusing im sorry.
Again, welcome to the forum, but you are not understanding how LED systems work, or the physics of electricity involved.
Thank you, and no im not an electrical engineer nor do i own a spellchecker, or i cant find it.:spin1:
Running LEDs at a lower temperature and/or lower current is not a 'sub par' condition or somehow outside of 'optimal conditions'. You could argue that the lower temp/current is MORE optimal for them.
Keeping abient temp and heat sink temps in check are very important to longivity of your led and power supply. Dimming your lights can help manage this, but it may alter the light wavelength. I believe the cost per lumen increases when operating at lower voltages. Initial setup costs are larger. More diodes, more drivers+dimmers more space taken up more potientiall issues may arise. Replacement costs also rise as a result. I'm interested, Can lenses be reused? i've never heard of this, honest question.
As mentioned above, most LEDs are the most efficient at 350ma, which gives the highest lumen/energy output. The efficiency decreases as you approach max current.
your right, but operating at higher ma should not effect there lifespan, if cooled properly.
If you would take 5 minutes to read the datasheet you would see that 350ma is the 'sweet spot' for many LEDs like the Cree ones used in most fixtures today, but they run well at higher currents as well. Also, keeping the LEDs cooler allows them to run more efficiently
Giving them there natoriously long life span of 30,000 hrs with little shift in color, something companies such as Cree and others state.
(just like many other electronics). LEDs have an upper temperature limit, not really a lower one. I could run my LEDs at 0 deg C and they would run fine. That is not outside of their 'optimal conditions'.
Most systems run at there upper limit, including most diy, even dimmed.
yes but my point is that heat creats a loss in voltage and can increase load on your power supply, requiring power supplies to work harder, and getting a short 1-2 year life span.
So many grammar and spelling errors, but anyway, no we are not. All we are aiming for is a temp BELOW the upper threshold, not really a tight range between 24 and 30.
Ambient air temp in and around you leds and power source have a direct effect on there effectiveness to "cool themselves" . most systems are inclosed and some r even further inclosed within there tank setup. Why r you aiming for the upper threshold when a lower temp is possible and not that inconvieniant, expensive or hard to do and would result in a longer life span.
Again, you need to understand the difference here between an UPPER LIMIT for usage (LEDs), and a LIMITED RANGE (CFLs).
Yes and as stated most run at there upper limit. Thats why most consumers start to see color shift or dimming after anly 15,000 hrs-20,000hrs @ best.
Again, you are making general speculations about something without consulting the datasheet. You do not need to actively cool a LED driver (power source) as long as you are running it within spec. Are you assuming that almost every LED driver used is being run improperly? You are basically assuming that everyone from the designing engineer to the home user is an idiot.
i'm making speculations upon reall world use. I should start a thread---"has your led system ran 20,000hrs without any noticable loss of light or burnt power supplies?" or "has you led system dimmed noticbly in the last year or two of opperation".
You mention humidity above as well in reference to drivers, so again see a datasheet, but lets assume you are talking about humidity exposure for LEDs themselves in a hood. Let me quote directly from the Cree datasheet (will provide link below).
poor soldering connections, exposed wire, also dry and cracked wire insulation was my worry. espicially when running wire close to or inside heat sinks.
"Moisture Sensitivity
In testing, Cree has found XLamp XP-G LEDs to have unlimited floor life in conditions ≤30oC / 85% relative humidity (RH). Moisture testing included a 168 hour soak at 85oC / 85% RH followed by 3 reflow cycles, with visual and electrical inspections at each stage."
Sounds like they are pretty darn resistant to me.
except that at higher ambient temps air can hold a much greater water volume, and temps are usually higher than 30oC around the diodes and power supplies. When the lights, and power source go out there can be a build up of condinsation as the air cools, if your power supply isnt 100% air tight or have exposed wire and is sitting in these conditions than there is a chance for this type damage to occur, which could result in unexpected failure, or loss of life expectancy. ie a controller lasting alittle longer than a year.
I don't really get what you are trying to say here, but I will give the link to the datasheet for Cree XP-G LEDs now.....
i believe what i was try'n to explain was that there is a limit at wich point the diode produces more heat than light and is deemed inefficient.
http://www.cree.com/products/pdf/xlampxp-g.pdf
Many LED systems now cost the same if not less than some similar MH setups. Even if they cost more, many can make up for the difference in less than a year, but I really don't feel like trying to show you what has been calculated many times already on this board. They won't last more than 10,000 hours? Where is your proof other than just your speculative opinion? Read the datasheet, yes they will last longer, or do you not believe in science?
Savings in hydro use r different from place to place for instance i only pay 5 cent a kwh when lights are on pretty cheap when compared to others so the savings vary, then add in unexpected failures and that savings may not be as great for some. ie me, cheap hydro.
No there not idiots thats why we spend our money on these systems and seem to be content with short life spans of our led's and controlers. I never stated that they wont last longer, quite the opposite. it just seems that the majority of users, in the reall world situations, wont ever really experience the FULL POTENTIAL of there led systems. Mainly due to improper heat managment, resulting in shorter life spans.
this last paragraph is what i originally wanted to get across.
Cheers!
