Superflux LEDs

[Franco B]

Has anyone had any experience with these?



I'm thinking about getting some to try in a project. They seem to be rated at about the same MCD intensity ~8k but I think they are meant to be much brighter due to the wide viewing angle (~140 degrees compared to the ~20 degrees of normal LEDs).

[HaRuMaN]

When we were going through our design iterations on the RGB bubbletops, I was looking at those...  never bought any, though.

[Franco B]

I may just bite the bullet and buy some. I've had an idea to solve another issue

[whammoed]

I use them in these:
http://www.nicemite.com/LightmiteTB/LightmiteTB.htm
They work nicely.  The ones I use are sufficient to light a trackball.  Some even find one too bright which is why I include the dimmer.

[RandyT]

I'm thinking about getting some to try in a project. They seem to be rated at about the same MCD intensity ~8k but I think they are meant to be much brighter due to the wide viewing angle (~140 degrees compared to the ~20 degrees of normal LEDs).

Source Material: InGaN
Emitting Colour: Red/Green/Blue
Emitting Wavelength (nm): 620/520/465
Size: 7.62 x 7.62
Intensity (mcd): 550/1200/800
Viewing Angle (deg): 120
Forward Voltage (V): 2.0/3.2/3.2
Forward Current (mA): 20-30

I'm not sure what you are asking.  The product in the image you linked to has the above specs.  The intensity is no better than that of most other RGB leds.  The only real difference is the package.

One thing to remember is that there are no "magic" LED's that can put out more light than others at the same current and voltage levels.  The light can be concentrated, and therefore be brighter in a smaller spot, but the volume of light (energy) will remain constant.  So always consider the voltage and current when looking at the overall light output of an LED.  

RandyT

[whammoed]

One thing to remember is that there are no "magic" LED's that can put out more light than others at the same current and voltage levels.  The light can be concentrated, and therefore be brighter in a smaller spot, but the volume of light (energy) will remain constant.  So always consider the voltage and current when looking at the overall light output of an LED.  

RandyT

Randy,

I understand what you are saying but could you explain how it applies to the following two examples:
5mm blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/b2_specs.htm
High Flux blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/hf5-b5590.htm

[Franco B]

My apologies. That was just a random image I pulled from google.

[These] are the ones I got the stats from. They are Chinese I know and the stats may not be correct but thats why I was asking about Superflux LEDs in general.

[HaRuMaN]

You need superflux LED's to build a Flux Capacitor, duh!

[RandyT]

I understand what you are saying but could you explain how it applies to the following two examples:
5mm blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/b2_specs.htm
High Flux blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/hf5-b5590.htm

Sure, if you explain what it is you would like explained.   Do you see a significant contradiction?

[RandyT]

My apologies. That was just a random image I pulled from google.

[These] are the ones I got the stats from. They are Chinese I know and the stats may not be correct but thats why I was asking about Superflux LEDs in general.

I think you will find that the spec sheet is in "error".  You might get 8000mcd out of them with a 100ma  0.1msec width pulse, but not at 20ma constant.  My guess is that the LED wouldn't last 10 seconds after attempting to get that kind of output from it.

In the absence of a real spec sheet showing response curves, you can pretty much take the ebay ad with little more than a grain of salt.

RandyT

[whammoed]

I understand what you are saying but could you explain how it applies to the following two examples:
5mm blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/b2_specs.htm
High Flux blue LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/hf5-b5590.htm

Sure, if you explain what it is you would like explained.   Do you see a significant contradiction?

One is putting out 5500 mcd over 90 degrees and the other is putting out 5500 mcd over 30 degrees but is rated at the same amps and a higher voltage.   Seems like the total output is greater for the LED that requires a lower voltage.

[RandyT]

One is putting out 5500 mcd over 90 degrees and the other is putting out 5500 mcd over 30 degrees but is rated at the same amps and a higher voltage.   Seems like the total output is greater for the LED that requires a lower voltage.

Ask for a proper spec sheet.  Do some research and you will find that the "superflux", "UFO", "Pirhana", etc....leds in this package are capable of handling higher current, so it's more than very likely that this transcription to the web is incorrect.

Also, these LED's are based on different compounds and have slightly different major wavelengths.  To do a proper comparison, these should be the same. 

Check out the efficiency section of the LED Wiki, as that is what we are basically discussing here.  While it's possible (even probable) that one LED product will have slightly better or worse efficiency than another, especially in different wavelengths, you seem to be hoping for an order of magnitude difference that current LED technology won't support.

RandyT

[whammoed]

One is putting out 5500 mcd over 90 degrees and the other is putting out 5500 mcd over 30 degrees but is rated at the same amps and a higher voltage.   Seems like the total output is greater for the LED that requires a lower voltage.

Ask for a proper spec sheet.  Do some research and you will find that the "superflux", "UFO", "Pirhana", etc....leds in this package are capable of handling higher current, so it's more than very likely that this transcription to the web is incorrect.

Also, these LED's are based on different compounds and have slightly different major wavelengths.  To do a proper comparison, these should be the same. 

Check out the efficiency section of the LED Wiki, as that is what we are basically discussing here.  While it's possible (even probable) that one LED product will have slightly better or worse efficiency than another, especially in different wavelengths, you seem to be hoping for an order of magnitude difference that current LED technology won't support.

RandyT

Thanks Randy. I wouldn't say I was hoping for anything, I was just going by the specs provided.  I look at specs but always go with what works in the real world.  If it does what I want it to do I use it.  I never trust the specs posted on Ebay but I thought the specs on that site might be more reliable.