Solaris Led lighting systems
- Thread starter jmccalip
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The short lifespan of 5mm LEDs is due to heat build up, since heat can only be dissipated by the wire leads and epoxy housing. Also the epoxy is degraded by light, like many plastics, especially in those LEDs with shorter wavelengths like blue and white LEDs. High power LEDs are designed to be used with a heat sink to pull the heat away and they usually have a silicone based encapsulant rather than epoxy.
Heres an article that explains it:
http://www.compoundsemiconductor.net/articles/magazine/8/1/4/1
Heres an article that explains it:
http://www.compoundsemiconductor.net/articles/magazine/8/1/4/1
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
not that im an expert...
those 5mm LEDs run so cool in comparison though to the luxeons. I doubt that they are much above 100 degrees F... and they are rated to last 10 years (granted, not at 100% and all, but still, 10 years).
hey... ill atill take em at 5000 hours, if thats all they are really good for... thats still longer then alot of other lights.
those 5mm LEDs run so cool in comparison though to the luxeons. I doubt that they are much above 100 degrees F... and they are rated to last 10 years (granted, not at 100% and all, but still, 10 years).
hey... ill atill take em at 5000 hours, if thats all they are really good for... thats still longer then alot of other lights.
They only seem to run cool because the die is insulated by the epoxy, the junction temperature will be much higher. The filament in an incandescant lamp burns at several thousand degrees F, but obviously the glass bulb is much cooler. In most applications such as indicator lamps the LEDs are driven nowhere near their rated current anyway. Thats why they don't seem to dim in equipment thats been on for many years. The short lifetime is a greater problem with white, green and blue.
lalc
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Pulse13 The article you reference was very informative and certainly sheds some light on how far the industry is willing to go to sell a lie and very supportive of your statement; However the article is dated January 2002 That being said I did a search on LED on the same site I came across this little gem.
Product Release http://compoundsemiconductor.net/press/12433
New silicones for LED makers from Dow Corning
Date announced: 24 May 2006.
Dow Corning’s newest products include three new LED-protecting encapsulants â€"œ DOW CORNING® EG-6301, DOW CORNING® OE-6336, and DOW CORNING® JCR 6175 â€"œ and a breakthrough new resin:
“As new designs call for brighter, hotter and longer-lasting LEDs, and manufacturers adopt high-temperature lead-free assembly processes, we’re seeing more and more companies turn to the power of silicone in applications where epoxies or COCs (cyclo olefin copolymers) were once the materials of choice,†said Tom Cook, global industry executive director, Dow Corning.
“Silicones are ideally matched to the demands of LED manufacturing â€"œ they offer exceptional reliability due to their initial high light transmittance and optical clarity is retained because the materials resist the effects of high temperatures and short-wavelength exposures. In addition, the silicones can be formulated to adhere to a multitude of substrates, giving users wide latitude when it comes to creating new device designs.
This article basically backs everything you brought to light i.e. Overheating, Light degradation, lower wavelengths damaging overall life of bulb ect. I am hopefully optimistic that the LED manufactures will make the switch to silicone.
And welcome any relevant information- As I have much to learn
“I’m Excited How About You!!â€Â
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Like I said before, its an area of technology that is developing faster than microprocessors are right now (ok, ok, so microprocs kinda slowed down recently, but you get the idea).
Even at the worst rate, 5000 hours of life is fine by me. Thats still almost 2 years... by then, I could care less as Im sure the newer ones will be better or cheaper. I can move these units onto working as moonlights or something on a larger tank...
Even at the worst rate, 5000 hours of life is fine by me. Thats still almost 2 years... by then, I could care less as Im sure the newer ones will be better or cheaper. I can move these units onto working as moonlights or something on a larger tank...
cindyolson
New member
It was to be shipped last Friday. Have not heard if it's come in yet or not. I'll check in the AM and post. If it did, I have to drive to Tucson to get it. Then have the 'LIGHT' party to change out my existing lights to the new ones.
cindyolson
New member
Light did not come in yet. So it will be next weekend before I'm able to go get it. Hope it comes in next week.
Cindy
Cindy
cindyolson
New member
Sanjay has his. Mine finally came in. I cannot pick it up this weekend, so next weekend it is. The LFS put it on a tank there to 'try it out'. They are very excited about it, I feel this is a good reaction as they had no knowledge of the system until I contacted them to order it, so we'll see.
Freemans Reef
New member
how can you wait haha
I ordered mine last April. I was going to hold out for the 400 W version because my tank is 36" wide, so I would need to place them higher to get the spread. Bad news is the 400 W version is delayed due to the availability of the LED's. I have solved the problem by ordering another 60", and will place them side by side.
The good news is I was able to stop by the factory and see some units being assembled and shipped. These are well thought out and very innovative. PFO has gone to great lengths to make a product that you would want to have over your tank. The lenses are something to be seen. The LED's are replaceable by removing two screws and one wire connection. They come 5 LED's to one strip (5 strips per section). Internal chambers and spacing to allow for cooling by the fans. Only question I can not answer is if corals will thrive and have good color under these. Only time will tell, but I am obviously betting things will look good. I will have to wait a few more weeks for mine because he is out of LED's for now. I did not mind too much because I have not finished plumbing my tank
The good news is I was able to stop by the factory and see some units being assembled and shipped. These are well thought out and very innovative. PFO has gone to great lengths to make a product that you would want to have over your tank. The lenses are something to be seen. The LED's are replaceable by removing two screws and one wire connection. They come 5 LED's to one strip (5 strips per section). Internal chambers and spacing to allow for cooling by the fans. Only question I can not answer is if corals will thrive and have good color under these. Only time will tell, but I am obviously betting things will look good. I will have to wait a few more weeks for mine because he is out of LED's for now. I did not mind too much because I have not finished plumbing my tank
aclos3
New member
Thanks for the pic and info sanjay. I agree about the tank looking "dim" with that fixture, but it could be the way your camera takes the shot or the background lighting.
Do you happen to have a photo from the same angle, with the same camera and background lighting when the MH was over the tank? I know that is asking a lot, but if you have a pic kicking around.
thanks again
Do you happen to have a photo from the same angle, with the same camera and background lighting when the MH was over the tank? I know that is asking a lot, but if you have a pic kicking around.
thanks again
cindyolson
New member
When I called PFO they said that the only dealer in AZ was Majestic Sea Life in Tucson, so that's who I called.
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