Go Back   EcoModder Forum > AltModding > Saving@Home
Register Now
 Register Now
 


Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 05-21-2008, 02:24 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: S-America
Posts: 14
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
whats the latest and greatest on LEDs?

hi there,

any early adopters here that could help out with their experience?

imho ... (and speaking frome a predominantly ROI perspective) when will prices come down so LEDs will really be worthwhile, esp. when coupled with PV panels?

any thoughts/discussion highly welcome
cheers
al

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 05-21-2008, 04:34 PM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 303

Pushrod - '02 Chevrolet Cavalier
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts
It all depends on the application. What are your plans?

LEDs are actually less efficient than CFLs, also the quality of the light isn't very good. I have a few light bulbs that consist of hundreds of white 5mm LEDs. It turns the room a very sterile whitish blue color, but it's also modulated (which I find irritating) because of the 60hz AC. If you want to go with LEDs, use DC power.

Last edited by JohnnyGrey; 05-21-2008 at 04:40 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2008, 04:38 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 405
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Gone4
Prices will be coming down but it may take another two years. The technology going into them is still seeing improvements and facilities to cope with future demand are being constructed. Initial cost will remain high to compensate for the new facilities and technology research but should drop as more flood the market.

One of the recent improvements is you can essentially add scratches in patterns to the plastic and actually get more light out.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2008, 05:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
Bicycle Junky
 
NoCO2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 464

Putsaround - '96 Toyota Camry LE
90 day: 32.74 mpg (US)

The Commuter - '07 Trek 1000SL
90 day: 617.28 mpg (US)

Zippy - '91 Honda Civic DX
90 day: 33.29 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts
How practical would it be to setup some CFL in my apartment that ran on only solar power if I could only put a solar panel or two on my balcony? Would that even be enough power to run them, and then just use the wall power when it's cloudy out or somethin?
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2008, 05:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 303

Pushrod - '02 Chevrolet Cavalier
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts
Quote:
How practical would it be to setup some CFL in my apartment that ran on only solar power if I could only put a solar panel or two on my balcony? Would that even be enough power to run them, and then just use the wall power when it's cloudy out or somethin?
I've got a 4W CFL by my writing desk that provides ample light. A decent sized solar panel should work just fine for that. With a decent battery bank, you can use it 24/7. If your goal is light during the day, see if your landlord will reimburse you for a skylight.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2008, 12:12 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
roflwaffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,490

Camryaro - '92 Toyota Camry LE V6
90 day: 31.12 mpg (US)

Red - '00 Honda Insight

Prius - '05 Toyota Prius

3 - '18 Tesla Model 3
90 day: 152.47 mpg (US)
Thanks: 349
Thanked 122 Times in 80 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoCO2 View Post
How practical would it be to setup some CFL in my apartment that ran on only solar power if I could only put a solar panel or two on my balcony? Would that even be enough power to run them, and then just use the wall power when it's cloudy out or somethin?
Do it!
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2008, 12:19 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: S-America
Posts: 14
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sourcing tips for LEDs?

hi there,

an add on Q:

would anybody have any URL on sourcing for LEDs? ... what makes/models are the "strongest" ones out there?

thx for enlightening me

al
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2008, 03:22 PM   #8 (permalink)
Future EV Owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Posts: 674

Wannabe - '05 Honda Civic LX
90 day: 40.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...save-2166.html
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2008, 12:27 AM   #9 (permalink)
Recycling Nazi
 
Bror Jace's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: People's Republic of Albany
Posts: 234

Blue Bullet - '06 Honda Civic Sedan LX
90 day: 35.68 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Question

"LEDs are actually less efficient than CFLs ..."

Johnny are you sure. I thought LEDs (and they vary greatly by manufacturer and size) were about twice as efficient as CFLs.

5mm LED lights (usually from Nichia) can now be bought in dollar stores ... it's the Luxeons, Crees, Seouls and Rebels that are currently in great demand.
__________________
--- Bror Jace
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2008, 12:55 AM   #10 (permalink)
Liberti
 
LostCause's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California
Posts: 504

Thunderbird - '96 Ford Thunderbird
90 day: 27.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
I know that HID's are more efficient than LED headlights in automobiles, so I'm willing to believe that CFL's are more efficient than LED's.

Car manufacturers are having a tough time dealing with the heat output of high power LED's. LED's emit a lot of heat near their base and if left unchecked, burn out pretty quickly. Going from 5mA to 5A is a big jump for the technology...

- LostCause

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread






Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com