48in. LED Fluorescent Tube Replacements

2008-12-15 Update: There's a couple of new kids on the block, earthled and zetalux that look real promising.  They're available from earthled.com - via MetaEfficient 2008-05-27 Update: Got the bulbs in, UPS handled with care - wrapped well in their triangular box. That's a lot of LED's! The clear tube they're enclosed in acts as a lens, too. Rewiring the shoplight will be posted here when I'm done with it, as I still have a couple of questions for SolCool. 2008-05-08 Update: Just ordered a set of these from SolCool - they come in two varieties: Warm White, and Cool White. I opted for the Cool White, since I'm basically using these for grow lights. NOTE: You MUST modify the housing you put these into - you have to bypass the ballast, as they take 110V AC. I was told there's a good market for ballasts, too - So I'm going to be the "Ballast Master" - I'm getting a spandex shirt with a big BM on the front - wait a minute... But seriously, they're on their way, and I'll post the ease (or lack thereof) of setting the LED T8 replacements up soon. I've been testing a couple more edison base LED bulbs, but I needed to report this. SolCool.net is marketing a nice looking T8 size LED "tube" using 300 LEDs . At $58 + s/h, it replaces a 40W tube, sipping only 14 watts. 60" (1524mm) length, replaces a T8 tube. Another equally priced 31" 8W replacement for a 50W tube is at Environmentallights.com, using 138 LEDs. Hmmm. Just goes to show you that more LEDs doesn't always mean more light. I've been testing a couple more edison base LED bulbs, but I needed to report this. SolCool.net is marketing a nice looking T8 size LED "tube" using 300 LEDs . At $58 + s/h, it replaces a 40W tube, sipping only 14 watts. 60" (1524mm) length, replaces a T8 tube. Another equally priced 31" 8W replacement for a 50W tube is at Environmentallights.com, using 138 LEDs. Hmmm. Just goes to show you that more LEDs doesn't always mean more light.

"Warm White" LED

Prices for LED Lights have been dropping - in most cases - though some are still through the roof. I've ordered a couple of lights from EliteLED.com: the "P60, 110 V, E26 / E27 Base 48 LED Light Bulb" $15.95 which boasts 175 degree light dispersion pattern, and 148 lumens, comparable to a 40 watt light bulb, at only 2.4 watts. Sounds good to me. They arrived, and this is a very good bulb! Using it for my reading lamp. As you can see by the pics, the color is similar to the clear incandescent bulb. When not side-by-side, the yellow tinge is a bit more yellow than normal, but not annoyingly so.  My only other "complaint" would be that it doesn't fit where standard bulbs normally go - so I can't put it in the hall light that's always left on. Pictures below...    Full Front view: Top Bulb - 1/2 watt LED Center Bulb: New P60-48LED light Bottom Bulb: Incandescent 40W   45 degree view: Top Bulb - 1/2 watt LED Center Bulb: New P60-48LED light Bottom Bulb: Incandescent 40W Note: you can see the plastic lens is clear, but the radiation pattern is very good.   90 degree view: Top Bulb - 1/2 watt LED Center Bulb: New P60-48LED light Bottom Bulb: Incandescent 40W

LED Spotlight

Also ordered a "110 V, E26 / E27 Base 21 LED Spot Light Bulb" $9.95 Which is more of a spotlight shape, with a 15 degree dispersion pattern, 38 lumens, and using only 2 watts. This will become my reading light, while the other will become - hmmm... where do I use a 40W bulb? Ah well, I 'll find a place. Hoping they both last longer than the one on this site I destr -- er, dismantled. Pictures below:   90 degree view: Top bulb: 1/2W LED Center: E26 Spotlight bulb Bottom: incandescent 40W   90(-ish) degree view: Top bulb: 1/2W LED Center: E26 Spotlight bulb Bottom: incandescent 40W

AAA Reading Light - Remember the Johnson-Smith Catalogs?

Saw this light in Goldmine Electronics catalog, and had to try it. It was only $9.95 with batteries (3 AAA) included. Looked like about the size of a desk light you see in Wal-Mart or your local hardware store, especially with the gooseneck. I was surprised when I opened the box and found this almost miniature light. Reminded me a bit of the mail-order catalogs of old where the actual item was far less than what you were led to beleive. It's actually a good light - provided you get it high enough. To the right is my decidedly unscientific test area with the light pointing up.

LED Desklight - Surprisingly good so far.
Next, you can see the light pointing down. The focal point is great for reading a small leaflet or one of those Beatrix Potter mini books - not large enough to actually do any serious reading with, but it is VERY bright! The "secondary spread (the arc you see on the wall) is good to see other items on the desk, but the shadows are annoying. What to do?

LED Desklight - Change the Altitude!

By placing the light high enough, it works out wonderfully. Spent the first night thumbing through a 8"x10" catalog and was easy to read. Have the light currently about three feet above the bed. This can be a pain to turn off, but with rechargeable batteries and soon a solar battery charger, I beleive this one will work out just fine. Another hack that would be worthwhile would be to give it a 4.5v power supply and a switch to switch between. Hmmmm. Sounds like a "MissionDIY" for between T-Ball, lawn cutting, gardening, work, ...

LED Bulbs - Edison base Available at better and better prices, it may not be worth creating them yourself - unless you dislike the "old tv on channel z" output. The blue cast can be annoying. Geeks.com 18LED bulb for $5.95US Also moreleds.com 18LED Bulb for $9.95US One year ago, I'd bought a 0.6W bulb from GoldenGadgets.com for $8.95US. You can see the difference between a 0.6W LED bulb and a 1.3W bulb, as well as advances in LED technology below: 0.6 watt 18 LED output (very unscientific, I know...). Note the pattern. No fun to read by! 1.3 watt 18 LED lamp from geeks.com. and it's output.

Edison Bulb - Looking inside

Edison LED Bulb Exposed! Well, the better of the two edison base LED bulbs bit the dust. Not sure why, hope to get back to figuring out what component or point failed, but it's late and other projects are afoot.

A little pressure...

Patience? Give me those Channel-Locks! So - after carefully scoring the edge of the bulb and gingerly prying with several screwdrivers, I finally took the channel-locks to it, carefully squeezing around the clear part until several satisfying cracks emanated from my little prize. Peeling away the shards, I find the first of two boards...

Second board exposed

The Real Guts Under the LED's lies the second board. This has a 250v cap, four diodes, four resistors (three 1/4 watt, one 1/2 watt). Well, hate to leave you hanging, but I've got to get some sleep, work in the garden and other fatherly duties. Hope to write out the schematic soon, but can't guarantee anything. Hope you've enjoyed my deconstruction, I plan to get another one or two when they drop in price or go on sale.