The led doesn't die, the scr power supply in the bulb is cheap chinese crap. While heat play a big factor, voltage surges and transient voltages also destroy the scr. There is no, or a very small heat sink in the power supply, so once the scr hits a critical temp, it's game over!
Old fashioned "Edison bulbs" are just a filament in a vacuum chamber. What kills them is that every time you turn one on and off, the filament expands and contracts. After a bunch of those cycles, the filament fatigues and breaks. LED's are DC solid state components. When you incorporate them into a lightbulb used with AC, a voltage divider and rectifier need to be built into the bulb. The LED's are often a part of that rectifier. This added circuitry is was dies in these things. That's why they'll often flicker or flash on and off when they're dying. If you look at the early... and EXPENSIVE LED bulbs, there was usually a PRONOUNCED aluminum heatsink built into the base of them. This is what allowed them to survive so long, no matter where you used them. Those heatsinks are gone, by and large, today. That's why the bulbs die in enclosed situations. The ones that are built to go into those enclosed fixtures have electronic components that are robust enough to take the heat, or still have that big metal heatsink built into them.
Also know that LED bulbs emit A LOT of electronic (RF) noise! If you're listening to the radio and can't seem to get a clear signal, try turning off the lights. You'd be surprised at how clear things will get! Fluorescent lights have this issue as well, but LED's are FAR worse!
There is (or was last I heard) a bulb in a firehouse in Livermore CA that's been burning continuously since 1912 or thereabouts. If you stop at the firehouse and ask to see it, the firemen will take you into the bay and show you. Nice folks.
It's true. Anything subjected to gubmint energy efficiency "standards" SUCKS !! AS IN BITES THE BIG ONE ! Case in point is washing machines. Years ago when machines washed clothes using an agitator that ran the whole cycle, in a tub that filled up with water as far as you wanted it to (and not "automatic fill" which you have no control over) - the clothes got clear on every cycle. I recently replaced my 20+ year-old clothes washer and dryer because the transmission in the washer sh&t the bed - and now I find there clothes that don't get clean on the first attempt. So - the machine runs twice. How energy efficient is that, Batman? And don't get me started with all the "safety - for our protection" bells and whistles required on new automobiles. Because "if it saves just one life, it is worth it".
We have the new style without the agitator. It works great, but only if you keep your loads to half the size of the old style machine loads. Math works out the same, two runs for what used to be one run. Don't know how much water is used per load, but I suspect less in the new machine.
Starker here, Many of these LED bulbs don't use SCR or TRIAC not a switching supply nor even a full bucking type, Just a dropping Capacitor! Sometimes also a current limiting or just a fuse Resistor. Many also use a PWM or current regulating IC. Some better ones also use a MOS-FET. Check out BigClive on YouTube.
I recall reading that traditional light bulbs were dumbed down because they were lasting too long maybe 100 years ago. It was inevitable that the same would happen with LEDs. Only the blindingly oblivious did not see it coming.
I personally can't stand the light given off by LED's, gives me a headache. Back when incandescent bulbs were being phased out a Wally World near me had a bunch on clearance and I bought a cart full. Looking at the last two flats of them now. Bought a few bulbs at a yard sale last weekend. No diodes for me just yet.
LED light bulbs give off blue light….. try to keep them out of your bedroom….. or keep them off…..right before bedtime….. and change those blue/green clock displays to red….. You’ll sleep better…..
The led doesn't die, the scr power supply in the bulb is cheap chinese crap. While heat play a big factor, voltage surges and transient voltages also destroy the scr. There is no, or a very small heat sink in the power supply, so once the scr hits a critical temp, it's game over!
ReplyDeleteOld fashioned "Edison bulbs" are just a filament in a vacuum chamber. What kills them is that every time you turn one on and off, the filament expands and contracts. After a bunch of those cycles, the filament fatigues and breaks. LED's are DC solid state components. When you incorporate them into a lightbulb used with AC, a voltage divider and rectifier need to be built into the bulb. The LED's are often a part of that rectifier. This added circuitry is was dies in these things. That's why they'll often flicker or flash on and off when they're dying. If you look at the early... and EXPENSIVE LED bulbs, there was usually a PRONOUNCED aluminum heatsink built into the base of them. This is what allowed them to survive so long, no matter where you used them. Those heatsinks are gone, by and large, today. That's why the bulbs die in enclosed situations. The ones that are built to go into those enclosed fixtures have electronic components that are robust enough to take the heat, or still have that big metal heatsink built into them.
ReplyDeleteAlso know that LED bulbs emit A LOT of electronic (RF) noise! If you're listening to the radio and can't seem to get a clear signal, try turning off the lights. You'd be surprised at how clear things will get! Fluorescent lights have this issue as well, but LED's are FAR worse!
There is (or was last I heard) a bulb in a firehouse in Livermore CA that's been burning continuously since 1912 or thereabouts. If you stop at the firehouse and ask to see it, the firemen will take you into the bay and show you. Nice folks.
DeleteHuell Houser did an episode on this very bulb. California's Gold. Hybo
DeleteStill there, centennial lightbulb l, has it's own webcam
DeleteWow, that would make for a stimulating evening.
DeleteWe have two incandescent bulbs in our home that have been used continuously for over 30 years.
Delete"Wow, that would make for a stimulating evening."
DeleteI'd watch that over the Golden Bachelorette.
When the Feds announced they were outlawing 100W incandescants, we bought over 100. Still have around 40 or so.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. Anything subjected to gubmint energy efficiency "standards" SUCKS !! AS IN BITES THE BIG ONE ! Case in point is washing machines. Years ago when machines washed clothes using an agitator that ran the whole cycle, in a tub that filled up with water as far as you wanted it to (and not "automatic fill" which you have no control over) - the clothes got clear on every cycle. I recently replaced my 20+ year-old clothes washer and dryer because the transmission in the washer sh&t the bed - and now I find there clothes that don't get clean on the first attempt. So - the machine runs twice. How energy efficient is that, Batman? And don't get me started with all the "safety - for our protection" bells and whistles required on new automobiles. Because "if it saves just one life, it is worth it".
ReplyDeleteWe've got an old skool washer with an agitator. Works great.
DeleteWe have the new style without the agitator. It works great, but only if you keep your loads to half the size of the old style machine loads. Math works out the same, two runs for what used to be one run. Don't know how much water is used per load, but I suspect less in the new machine.
DeleteWhen I visit the light bulb aisle, and see the 750 choices, I ask myself: "how did it come to this??"
ReplyDeleteStarker here,
ReplyDeleteMany of these LED bulbs don't use SCR or TRIAC not a switching supply nor even a full bucking type,
Just a dropping Capacitor! Sometimes also a current limiting or just a fuse Resistor. Many also use a PWM or current regulating IC. Some better ones also use a MOS-FET. Check out BigClive on YouTube.
I recall reading that traditional light bulbs were dumbed down because they were lasting too long maybe 100 years ago. It was inevitable that the same would happen with LEDs. Only the blindingly oblivious did not see it coming.
ReplyDeleteI personally can't stand the light given off by LED's, gives me a headache. Back when incandescent bulbs were being phased out a Wally World near me had a bunch on clearance and I bought a cart full. Looking at the last two flats of them now. Bought a few bulbs at a yard sale last weekend. No diodes for me just yet.
ReplyDeleteNeck
LED light bulbs give off blue light…..
ReplyDeletetry to keep them out of your bedroom…..
or keep them off…..right before bedtime…..
and change those blue/green clock displays to red…..
You’ll sleep better…..
Ed357
Essentially buy them but don't turn the switch on.
ReplyDeleteHow about taking off the plastic globe off the light itself? They don’t need to be enclosed at all. They aren’t a filament in an inert atmosphere.
ReplyDelete