High efficacy standard form factor LEDs

MN Renovator · 12-01-10, 07:26 PM

I'm making a new thread on this because all of the other threads on low cost LEDs or LEDs people found that aren't up to the task of lighting with as much light as we really need. ...either that or they weren't actually more efficient than CFLs.

This is what I did:
I went to the DOE's website which was set up specifically for posting their verified results of LED lamps(or bulbs as most people call them).
LightingFacts.com
When you click on Products, you can do an advanced search and type in your lumens needs and the desired efficacy.

I entered in 800-5000 lumens and 80+ lumens/watt

The mid 800's is usually what a 60 watt equiv CFL is.
1640 lumens are what my 100 watt equivalent CFLs are.

Most of the fixtures in my house are rated for 60 watts and so they have 60 watt bulbs inside when I bought my house. I find 60 watts to be acceptable but when buying CFLs, you always need to upsize them by one or two steps. I've been using flourescents with an edison base before they were even compact and there are good reasons for upsizing the 'equivalent wattage'. The manufacturers want you to think you are saving more money or their product is more efficient through the 'oh look, this 60 watt equivalent only uses 11 watts, while this other one uses 13' with no regards to lumens. I've always taken the wattage of the CFL multiplied it by 3 and used that number for my calculations. So basically 23 watts = 69 watts to me. So in my case they are slightly brighter than the originals and the warm up period is harder to notice because they don't start off as dim. CFLs also, in my experience get dimmer with age. I have CFLs from the mid 90's that still work today, they are without a doubt over their 12,000 hour rated lifespan but they aren't being used because they are huge, ugly, don't fit in any of todays modern fixtures, and after probably about 20,000 hours of use they are very dim. Kudos to GE for making their 15 watt double long-U shape bulbs last nearly forever! ...but I just can't use them because they produce less light than even a 40 watt lightbulb can now and they always had a greenish tinge that none of the current CFLs have anymore. Putting it side by side with a new 13 watt bulb puts the thing to shame.

Anyway, back to LEDs.

1. LEDs don't have the CFL 3 minute warm up period(which I've tested by taking 4 and screwing them into a fixture at a one minute interval and seen where they met at maximum brightness versus time and determined that it takes 3 minutes. So I have less reason to oversize them to burn through the reason of why these suck for the bathroom, closet, and anywhere else I spend a short period of time in.

2. LEDs last a very long time, manufacturers are rating them at 50,000 hours, with some cheaper ones at 25,000 hours. I have an LED that specifically says on the box if it doesn't last that long that they will replace it. I've had CFLs replaced under such a guarantee before.

3. They potentially have a much higher efficacy(light per watt)

4. Their light based on an LED lamp I just recent bought seems to be a better quality light than the recent CFLs I've been using, which are pretty good on their own in the first place.

5. No mercury

6. Most are dimmable, which is something I have no use for since I size my lighting for what I need. ...but what is good about this is they can be used with solid state switches controlled by PWM. My garage door opener specifically says to use nothing but incandescents and the control and rough service is why, I think an LED bulb might be great for it.

The problem:
They are expensive and many are less efficient than CFLs. They also don't have a large selection available for larger ones too.

For example
I bought an 8 watt 40 watt equiv to test. Spent about $20 on it. It's 430 lumens, 54lm/watt(lower than my ~70lm/watt CFLs). It's brighter when shining against my hand than the two 60 watt tungsten bulbs next to it because all of the light from the LED points down. This is great for something that points down but for room lighting most of my lights use the light reflected from walls so it would all end up even to the lumen count.

What I found though when searching the Lighting Facts site was a bulb by LEDnovation that gets 101lm/watt.

LEDnovation, LED Lamps, LED Light Bulbs | Products - EnhanceLite A19 LED

6.1 watts, 615 lumens, 101lm/watt in a 2700k warm white A19 shaped bulb.
That is a very high lm/watt although slightly lower lumens then I want.

They have higher powered bulbs at slightly lower efficacy but better than CFL efficiency in the A19 package. For 84lm/watt, I could have a 9.8 watt bulb that puts out 830 lumens, an efficacy of 84 lumens per watt. My best CFL in the house is 71 lm/watt.

830 lumens would be around the same as a 60 watt tungsten bulb. They are selling it as a 100 watt replacement though. It would be less than I'm getting from my fluorescents but the semi-directional aspect and instant-on would be perfect for me and may seem brighter than an actual 60 watt tungsten bulb anyway.

I should also mention, when doing a google search of one of the part numbers on the bulb, I found a PDF that shows their Gen 2 line, which solely includes the 101lm/watt unit will be expanding with additional units that will produce more light.

I'm going to try calling these guys tomorrow if I'm available and ask about where/how/if they can be bought by an individual and at what price along with what is coming.

12-01-10, 07:26 PM	#1
MN Renovator Less usage=Cheaper bills Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 939 Thanks: 41 Thanked 116 Times in 90 Posts	High efficacy standard form factor LEDs I'm making a new thread on this because all of the other threads on low cost LEDs or LEDs people found that aren't up to the task of lighting with as much light as we really need. ...either that or they weren't actually more efficient than CFLs. This is what I did: I went to the DOE's website which was set up specifically for posting their verified results of LED lamps(or bulbs as most people call them). LightingFacts.com When you click on Products, you can do an advanced search and type in your lumens needs and the desired efficacy. I entered in 800-5000 lumens and 80+ lumens/watt The mid 800's is usually what a 60 watt equiv CFL is. 1640 lumens are what my 100 watt equivalent CFLs are. Most of the fixtures in my house are rated for 60 watts and so they have 60 watt bulbs inside when I bought my house. I find 60 watts to be acceptable but when buying CFLs, you always need to upsize them by one or two steps. I've been using flourescents with an edison base before they were even compact and there are good reasons for upsizing the 'equivalent wattage'. The manufacturers want you to think you are saving more money or their product is more efficient through the 'oh look, this 60 watt equivalent only uses 11 watts, while this other one uses 13' with no regards to lumens. I've always taken the wattage of the CFL multiplied it by 3 and used that number for my calculations. So basically 23 watts = 69 watts to me. So in my case they are slightly brighter than the originals and the warm up period is harder to notice because they don't start off as dim. CFLs also, in my experience get dimmer with age. I have CFLs from the mid 90's that still work today, they are without a doubt over their 12,000 hour rated lifespan but they aren't being used because they are huge, ugly, don't fit in any of todays modern fixtures, and after probably about 20,000 hours of use they are very dim. Kudos to GE for making their 15 watt double long-U shape bulbs last nearly forever! ...but I just can't use them because they produce less light than even a 40 watt lightbulb can now and they always had a greenish tinge that none of the current CFLs have anymore. Putting it side by side with a new 13 watt bulb puts the thing to shame. Anyway, back to LEDs. 1. LEDs don't have the CFL 3 minute warm up period(which I've tested by taking 4 and screwing them into a fixture at a one minute interval and seen where they met at maximum brightness versus time and determined that it takes 3 minutes. So I have less reason to oversize them to burn through the reason of why these suck for the bathroom, closet, and anywhere else I spend a short period of time in. 2. LEDs last a very long time, manufacturers are rating them at 50,000 hours, with some cheaper ones at 25,000 hours. I have an LED that specifically says on the box if it doesn't last that long that they will replace it. I've had CFLs replaced under such a guarantee before. 3. They potentially have a much higher efficacy(light per watt) 4. Their light based on an LED lamp I just recent bought seems to be a better quality light than the recent CFLs I've been using, which are pretty good on their own in the first place. 5. No mercury 6. Most are dimmable, which is something I have no use for since I size my lighting for what I need. ...but what is good about this is they can be used with solid state switches controlled by PWM. My garage door opener specifically says to use nothing but incandescents and the control and rough service is why, I think an LED bulb might be great for it. The problem: They are expensive and many are less efficient than CFLs. They also don't have a large selection available for larger ones too. For example I bought an 8 watt 40 watt equiv to test. Spent about $20 on it. It's 430 lumens, 54lm/watt(lower than my ~70lm/watt CFLs). It's brighter when shining against my hand than the two 60 watt tungsten bulbs next to it because all of the light from the LED points down. This is great for something that points down but for room lighting most of my lights use the light reflected from walls so it would all end up even to the lumen count. What I found though when searching the Lighting Facts site was a bulb by LEDnovation that gets 101lm/watt. LEDnovation, LED Lamps, LED Light Bulbs \| Products - EnhanceLite A19 LED 6.1 watts, 615 lumens, 101lm/watt in a 2700k warm white A19 shaped bulb. That is a very high lm/watt although slightly lower lumens then I want. They have higher powered bulbs at slightly lower efficacy but better than CFL efficiency in the A19 package. For 84lm/watt, I could have a 9.8 watt bulb that puts out 830 lumens, an efficacy of 84 lumens per watt. My best CFL in the house is 71 lm/watt. 830 lumens would be around the same as a 60 watt tungsten bulb. They are selling it as a 100 watt replacement though. It would be less than I'm getting from my fluorescents but the semi-directional aspect and instant-on would be perfect for me and may seem brighter than an actual 60 watt tungsten bulb anyway. I should also mention, when doing a google search of one of the part numbers on the bulb, I found a PDF that shows their Gen 2 line, which solely includes the 101lm/watt unit will be expanding with additional units that will produce more light. I'm going to try calling these guys tomorrow if I'm available and ask about where/how/if they can be bought by an individual and at what price along with what is coming.