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LED lighting for your house — Parallax Forums

LED lighting for your house

Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
edited 2012-01-01 00:48 in General Discussion
As a keen early adopter of technology, I couldn't resist trying these new LED lightbulbs http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/E27-1150LM-13W-110V-220V-6000-7000K-263LED-Bright-Pure-White-LED-Corn-Light-Bulb-/180745940227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item6fc4cf94c7

This is one example - if you want to find more, type in "263 LED" into ebay.

I'm quite excited to find they really do look as bright as an incandescent globe.

Here in Australia the government has banned incandescent globes so the only globes easily available in shops are compact flourescent globes. Having used these for several years, CFLs have a few problems like taking several minutes to warm up (not great if you are only in a room for a short time) and they only last 2-3x longer than incandescents. Plus they slowly fade over this time.

These LED globes cost a few dollars more and use about the same amount of power, but they come on instantly. I don't know about life expectancy but it probably will be better than a CFL.

There are several models around - some are 240V only but many are 110 to 240V. They come in bayonet and Edison screw.

There are other LED lights around that use less LEDs but the LEDs are larger - I haven't tried these ones. I think there are even replacements for long flourescent tubes.

Has anyone here tried these?

Comments

  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-29 16:19
    I like these but they are rather expensive Philips EnduraLED and they are dimmable.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-11-29 16:22
    No, but I did get 2x 5-meter rolls of RGB LED tape to go on my Christmas tree, just like this:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/3528-RGB-5M-16-4FT-NON-Waterproof-300-LED-flexible-led-light-strip-500CM-DC-12V-/120817971812?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c214ff264

    Got one for $8, another for $15. They plug into this nifty little controller, mine was just $3: http://www.ebay.com/itm/44-Key-IR-Infrared-Remote-Control-System-Changing-RGB-LED-Light-Strip-/230708418905?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b74b1959

    It's quite cool. I was happy until I saw this sound activated controller: DOH! http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Channel-RGB-IR-Music-audio-sound-sensitive-LED-light-strips-Controller-12V-DC-/260903853701?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbf14de85 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfEnuV15rq4

    Then I saw this "Dream Color" LED strip, which is even cooler... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dDgR83de6A&feature=related Double DOH!

    Then I saw THIS and I was completely undone... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzWyr6JnYKY

    Sorry if I derailled your thread...
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-29 16:38
    Not derailed at all - everyone needs a LED fire(wall)!

    But I'm not so sure about making the inside of a house look like a christmas tree - I know my better half will object to that! White lightbulbs are a bit "boring" in comparison and don't make for very interesting Youtube videos. However, they may get a bit more interesting when the power bill goes down (our house = approx 12 lightbulbs on at any one time @60W each, with LEDs =10W so save 50Wx12=600W).
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-11-29 16:55
    Drac: My son put in new 240V 59W (IIRC) halogen lights about 3 years ago when they bought their first house.

    He bought some LED 240V 5W & 7W modules/globes on eBay a few months ago and they work great! He uses the 7W over the sink and stove and 5W elsewhere. Very impressed :)

    However, the one in the kitchen (when on) interferes with the computer/tv equipment, yet all others are fine. It it the actual light fitting/wiring as swapping LEDs makes no difference. Perhaps there is a bad joint somewhere.

    BTW Don't expect your electricity bill to go down... They will just increase the charges to compensate for any power savings we all make :(
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-11-29 17:11
    Dr_A and Ron Cz,

    How is the light from your respective LED bulbs: soft and warm, or harsh and glarey?

    -Phil
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-29 17:27
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    Dr_A and Ron Cz,

    How is the light from your respective LED bulbs: soft and warm, or harsh and glarey?

    -Phil

    I can't tell any difference between the Philips bulb and a regular incandescent. The outside shell is yellow but when lit, the light is normal.

    I have some othe LED bulbs but the top is half a sphere so very little light radiates toward the base.

    The Philips bulb shape allows more light toward the base. They also make a 75 watt equivalent bulb (around $40 on Home Depot site)
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-29 17:42
    Here is picture of the Philips LED (in the lamp) and a standard 60W bulb (sitting on the table).

    HomeDepot price is $25 here (was $40 when I bought it - sigh)

    The color temp is 2700K - same as a typical incandescent.

    Of course, with lamp shade on any difference would be lessened.

    Philips LED.jpg
    Philips LED.jpg
    600 x 800 - 94K
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-11-29 18:48
    Even $25 seems like a lot, but I wonder what the original Edison bulbs would have cost in today's dollars. I suspect it would be at least as much.

    -Phil
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-29 18:58
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    Even $25 seems like a lot, but I wonder what the original Edison bulbs would have cost in today's dollars. I suspect it would be at least as much.

    -Phil

    They should last 20 years - probably longer than me! :smile:
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-11-29 19:22
    How are they at tolerating heat? I've noticed that CFLs last a long time installed upright in table lamps, but burn out rather quickly when inverted or installed in enclosed fixtures.

    -Phil
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-29 19:26
    How is the light from your respective LED bulbs: soft and warm, or harsh and glarey?

    It is the soft/warm color. When CFLs first came out the only ones I could find were the harsh glarey ones (almost a blue color) and my wife made me take them out of the fittings. The LEDs are a perfect color - perhaps just slightly whiter than an incandescent but certainly not blue.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-29 20:00
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    How are they at tolerating heat? I've noticed that CFLs last a long time installed upright in table lamps, but burn out rather quickly when inverted or installed in enclosed fixtures.

    -Phil

    They do get warm but the base is a big heatsink and there are three heatsink spokes up the side of the globe.
    Never seen any sort of heatsink on a CFL...
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-30 02:48
    @Ron, looking at some specs yours is 800 lumens and is quoted as using 12W. The one I found is 1150 lumens and 13W.

    What I really wanted to know was whether these values are fake. I have had my doubts for some time about CFL values, and a quick search on google reveals this article confirming these suspicions http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/6110547/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-offer-dim-future.html

    There is a table near the bottom with lumens for incandescent bulbs.

    Based on what the sellers say, they are saying a 263 led bulb is brighter than a 60W globe (1150 lumens vs maybe 700). I guess based on my very subjective tests, I'd say they are about the same or fractionally brighter than a a 60W incandescent. And I think CFLs are dimmer.

    I think I am ready to start replacing my bulbs with LEDs.

    Another thought - a lot of the cost of a bulb is the energy it consumes, not the purchase cost. Electricity here is 20c/kwh so a 60W globe costs 1.2c an hour, and if it lasts 1000h I guess that is $12. Plus maybe $1 for the bulb = $13. The LED bulb costs about $13 (interestingly!) and uses 13W = 0.26c an hour which is $2.60 for 1000h. So if it lasts more than maybe 1500h it has paid for itself.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-11-30 02:52
    I was quite disappointed with the mandate to stop using incandescent light bulbs as dimmers for mood lighting were no longer possible. It seemed like a huge step backwards.

    Besides, the CFL really get beat up by being frequently toggled on and off - they survive best if left on for long periods. Like all energy saving mandates, there seems to be one industry that is favored and another that suffers whilst the end-user is stuck in the middle.

    LEDs can easily fill a gap created by such legislation.
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-30 03:39
    Yes, dimmable. That adds another parameter. Not so many when you search for dimmable leds in B22 bayonet or E27 Edison. But there are a few and so the technology exists. I guess we are at the cutting edge here. Shouldn't be too hard to detect the waveform of the dimmed mains voltage (probably a delayed turn at each zero crossing on so a terrible looking AC waveform) and then convert to a PWM. Perfect job for a Propeller??!

    Just testing the 263 led bulb for heat after running for an hour. The base is cold. The leds themselves are just too hot to touch. Compare with a CFL where both the base and tube are very hot and definitely too hot to touch. And an incandescent where you get burnt. Overall the leds are running the coolest of the three.

    My kids now want these in their rooms. And therein lies the next problem because some of these led bulbs are too large to go inside some light fittings. So need to look for short fat shapes vs long thin ones.

    These led bulbs are called "corn light" bulbs. That had me stumped but after a few glasses of red I started thinking laterally. Yes... they do look like a corn cob!
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-30 04:30
    To me, the important criteria for LED bulbs is:
    • brightness (lumens)
    • color temp
    • dimmable
    • longevity
    • heat
    • cost
    I have LED bulbs in the stairwell because there is no warmup issue as with CFLs.
    There is a GU10 LED over my kitchen sink (very directional).
    Several 40W equivalent bulbs in small table lamps.

    My problem is that I like 75W bulbs for reading (in lamps by the bed and sofa) and they need to disperse light in about 270 degrees...

    I also replaced my outdoor motion sensor security light with an LED light. It has 14 XP-E CREE LEDs for 2030 lumens - it is quite bright!
    LED Security Flood.jpg
    Utilitech PRO #0205683 (FROM LOWES)
    LED Security Flood.jpg
    500 x 500 - 43K
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-30 04:51
    Ron, you sound like our resident LED lighting expert!

    Re 75W, yes I have always liked 75W or 100W incandescents. If 60W is 800 lumens, then the 1600 lumen 330 led bulbs might be bright enough? http://www.ebay.com/itm/E27-16W-330-led-corn-light-bulb-Warm-white-lamp-110-130-/160613799648?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D150630359766%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4559989123691222763
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-11-30 05:03
    Dr_Acula wrote: »
    Ron, you sound like our resident LED lighting expert!

    Re 75W, yes I have always liked 75W or 100W incandescents. If 60W is 800 lumens, then the 1600 lumen 330 led bulbs might be bright enough? http://www.ebay.com/itm/E27-16W-330-led-corn-light-bulb-Warm-white-lamp-110-130-/160613799648?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%2BC%26itu%3DUCI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D150630359766%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4559989123691222763

    ..expert.. - Hardly! I just hate CFL bulbs. - I've stocked up on 75 and 100 watt incandescents!

    That is bright but looks a bit large:smile:

    The Philips "75W" is only 1100 lumens @Home Depot
  • graffixgraffix Posts: 389
    edited 2011-11-30 06:01
    Sorry on my phone don't have a link right now.Did you see the lights that were at the Google io convention?
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2011-11-30 16:49
    I'm in the process of replacing the incandecent bulbs with LEDs.

    I replaced the under cabinet halogens with DIY LED modules made from a PC board, 4 diodes as a bridge rectifier, and LEDs harvested from strings of christmnas lights purchased on sale after New Years. The LEDs are arranged in series so the voltage drop is 120 volts. Each chain consists of pairs of reverse biased pairs so the one lights on each half of the cycle. The modules are dimmable using the same dimmer the Halogen lamps used. The "warm white" are slightly diiferent color than incandescent, halogen and xenon. But unless they are side by side, the difference isn't really noticable.

    I got the 40 watt replacement dimmable LEDs at Home depot for $9. The 5 bulb fixture used to draw 300 watts, and the dimmer (rated for 1000 watts) got alarmingly warm. The LEDs give roughly the same brightness, and the dimmer remains cold.

    The long term goal is to have color tunable LED light throughout, as on the 787. For the time being, I use clusters of clearance sale LED strings as indirect lighting in the play room. It looks a bit tacky, and the wife kind of hates it, but the kids love it and won't let me take them down. :)
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-12-12 10:45
    I was at Home Depot today and they have the 75W equivalent Philips AmbientLED bulbs in the store.
    I bought two at $40 each. Expensive, no doubt, but they are supposed to save $159.50 per year over the life of the bulb based on 3 hours per day at 11 cents/kWh.
    They draw 17W - estimated cost of $2.05 per year.

    Finally, an LED light I can actually read by and they fit perfectly in a standard lamp shade yoke.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-12-12 10:52
    3 hours * 365 days * (75W - 17W) / 1000 kW/W * $.11/kWhr = $6.99 in savings per year.

    I suspect the $159.50 in savings was meant to apply to the projected lifetime of the lamp, which would have to be more than 20 years.

    -Phil
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-12-12 11:10
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    3 hours * 365 days * (75W - 17W) / 1000 kW/W * $.11/kWhr = $6.99 in savings per year.

    I suspect the $159.50 in savings was meant to apply to the projected lifetime of the lamp, which would have to be more than 20 years.

    -Phil

    @Phil - your're certainly correct - their number was based on a 25,000 hour life (22.8 yrs) @ 3 hours/day.

    Looks like it takes 4 or 5 years to pay for itself.
  • ethan7557ethan7557 Posts: 1
    edited 2011-12-31 22:50
    I recently bought a RGB LED bulb for 27.50 bucks. It's a multi-color LED bulb with a remote control to adjust color AND brightness, as well as a few effects like strobe. I don't know what the cost premium would be for adding this to standard LED bulbs, though, so that might be a problem.
  • nightwingnightwing Posts: 56
    edited 2012-01-01 00:48
    I don't like CFL. Esp when it shatters and you have a hazmat with the mercury it takes to start one of these. Also know that they run longer if left on.

    One problem with LED is it sends it light in one directions but they seem to be getting that worked out.
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