bpnjensen wrote:
On May 20, 3:14 pm, "Brenda Ann" wrote:
"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Have you tried any of the LED flashlights? I bought several from AES.
They sell a model for $9.99 that is machined from aluminum and runs on
3 AAA batteries: "HOUSE OF DEALS 9LED/3AAAFLSLT*" see this listed at:
http://search.cartserver.com/search/...&cartid=a-6994...
It's the third item down. I have to tell you this thing is BRIGHT! AND
it's made as well as any MagLight I own. These will give you something
of an idea as to what can be done with LEDs. If this can be
accomplished with flashlights, I can't wait until they achieve this
level of lighting quality with home LED light bulbs.
(I've even seen some LED flashlights in the "Dollar Tree" store. They
have only 3 LEDs and are not as bright or as well made as the AES
models, but for only a dollar ... )
I used to think the multi-LED flashlights were bright (and, indeed, compared
to a small incandescent flashlight, they are... but much more difuse). The
ones that are REALLY bright are the LuxeonŽ type LED lights. These are the
ones most likely to eventually make it into meaningful home lighting. I
have some 32 LED lamps that I use in various places. They are about the same
brightness level as the little 7 1/2 watt sign bulbs (but of course use less
than one watt). The Luxeon is many times brighter, and with just a single
light source. These are quite a bit more expensive for the higher power
ones, but the 1 watt and 3 watt versions are coming down in price rapidly.
Not mine:http://cgi.ebay.com/5-WATT-LUXEON-LE..._W0QQitemZ...- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I agree with Joe and Brenda about LEDs, and I cannot believe that the
powers that be have not jumped onto the bandwagon with these things.
Their potential is enormous. They are fairly cheap, last nearly
forever (maybe that's why?) and use a shred of the energy used by any
other viable light source.
Bruce Jensen
Actually, they are, in a way, getting in on the LED wagon. Here in
The Windy, as well as in a good number of venues I've visited in
Wisconsin, the traffic lights have been changed from incandescent, to
LED arrays. They're very harsh to look at without the original color
filters used with the incandescents because the colors are pure, and the
viewing angle is narrow...putting the output of nearly 100 high output
LED's into a narrow beam. Small matter. Slap the filter over the LED's
and you've got a mellower color output with no diminution in brightness. ]
They'll last. Lower maintenance costs. Total energy for the traffic
system is reduced, but not by as much as you might think. But they
depending on installation and operating parameters, produce a hellaceous
amount of RF noise. The LED arrays in my area cast RFI shadows as far
inland as my house.
It can be overcome. Whether it will is a matter of some debate.
LED's are particularly well suited for this application because the
color purity is high, and consistent.
Most applications for white LED's have limited applicable product due
to the generally more blue nature of white LED light.
LED's are also finding their way into the marker, tail and brake
lights of many models of car. With varying results depending on the
purity of the voltage applied. Also easily overcome. And manufacturers
are motivated.
All of the flashlights in my house, my flight bag, tool and remote
kits, and vehicle glove boxes are multi LED models.
Varying color temperature makes some better than others.
There are some track lighting systems that are retrofittable to LED
projectors. For more than $40 a pop. With dramatic long term savings.
Casual lighting, like table lamps are still not practical for LED
lighting, and the color temperatures of many white LED's are still too
blue to be practical for most applications.
But there is a lot of development going on. With progress in color
and lumen output being made at a good rate.
Nearly every wholesaler of light bulbs for general lighting, now,
offers some LED product for home and business lighting applications.