Comments on: LED By the Nose http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:23:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: David Read http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5250 David Read Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:10:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5250 Phil, I stumbled across this thread after a Google search for 'problems with LED lighting'. I see that these postings are over a year old but I'm wondering if you or anyone reading this might be able to help me. I bought a couple of those outrageously expensive LED indoor lights (PAR 30 floodlight). When I installed them, they immediately began to glow - a bit of a surprise since the switch was off. I thought I might have a faulty switch, so I tried another circuit - same thing. I started checking and it seems that, even though the switches are off, the circuits still carry a small amount of voltage (1v - 1.5v). My house is relatively new (8 years old). Was I the recipient of a bad batch of switches? Or is there something else going on here? Phil,
I stumbled across this thread after a Google search for ‘problems with LED lighting’. I see that these postings are over a year old but I’m wondering if you or anyone reading this might be able to help me.
I bought a couple of those outrageously expensive LED indoor lights (PAR 30 floodlight). When I installed them, they immediately began to glow – a bit of a surprise since the switch was off. I thought I might have a faulty switch, so I tried another circuit – same thing. I started checking and it seems that, even though the switches are off, the circuits still carry a small amount of voltage (1v – 1.5v). My house is relatively new (8 years old). Was I the recipient of a bad batch of switches? Or is there something else going on here?

]]> By: Corey Geving http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5249 Corey Geving Mon, 25 Jul 2005 20:52:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5249 The other massive advantage of LED lighting is that their light spans a very narrow arc and is directional. This would help reduce light pollution immensely, in that streetlights and floodlights built with modern white LED tech would focus much more of their light downward, where it is needed, and very little (only whatever gets reflected back from the ground) would be "leaked" back into space. Which would make a lot of backyard astronomers very happy, since light pollution is the bane of their existence. Moths and baby sea turtles would also be less likely to be confounded by it. More light, better spectra, less energy, and better control over where the light goes. And I'm not even an LED salesman ... The other massive advantage of LED lighting is that their light spans a very narrow arc and is directional. This would help reduce light pollution immensely, in that streetlights and floodlights built with modern white LED tech would focus much more of their light downward, where it is needed, and very little (only whatever gets reflected back from the ground) would be “leaked” back into space. Which would make a lot of backyard astronomers very happy, since light pollution is the bane of their existence. Moths and baby sea turtles would also be less likely to be confounded by it. More light, better spectra, less energy, and better control over where the light goes. And I’m not even an LED salesman …

]]> By: Jon Niehof http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5248 Jon Niehof Tue, 19 Jul 2005 16:48:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5248 <!-- spamk : Comment text: 'Phil, you might want to try some full-spectrum CF's: http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/compact_fluorescent_32_ctg.htm They're a bit more expensive but pretty nice. They'll also still look a bit blue to you; incandescent lighting is very low-temperature compared to daylight.' matched HTTP: --> Phil, you might want to try some full-spectrum CF's: http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/compact_fluorescent_32_ctg.htm They're a bit more expensive but pretty nice. They'll also still look a bit blue to you; incandescent lighting is very low-temperature compared to daylight.


[...] Phil Plait over at Bad Astronomy has an interesting post about how LED’s work, and why they might light the future: LEDs, though, give off light for a very different reason. Indulge me i [...]

]]> By: Bilateralrope http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5232 Bilateralrope Wed, 22 Jun 2005 22:51:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5232 My dad bought an LED torch (can't remember if it was 1 LED or 3). After going camping with it a few time he wanted t know how much charge was left in the battries (2 AA battries IIRC). It remained on constantly for 3 days before we even noticed it dimming at all. Sure, the light that it gave off seemed odd, but with that much battery life, its worth it. My dad bought an LED torch (can’t remember if it was 1 LED or 3). After going camping with it a few time he wanted t know how much charge was left in the battries (2 AA battries IIRC). It remained on constantly for 3 days before we even noticed it dimming at all.

Sure, the light that it gave off seemed odd, but with that much battery life, its worth it.

]]> By: Bored Huge Krill http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5231 Bored Huge Krill Wed, 22 Jun 2005 20:48:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5231 Edward, I think I agree - but as far as I know the mechanism by which the filament fails is fatigue due to the constant thermal cycling causing plastic deformation of the hot filament each cycle Edward,
I think I agree – but as far as I know the mechanism by which the filament fails is fatigue due to the constant thermal cycling causing plastic deformation of the hot filament each cycle

]]> By: VisionEngineer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5230 VisionEngineer Wed, 22 Jun 2005 20:29:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5230 I have noticed that LEDs are starting to be used for tail lights and brake lights on trucks. I can't recall seing them on any cars yet, but I'm sure they will come. It seems like it could be a real safety issue since several LEDs could burn out before the light is unusable. I use LED lighting a lot in my profession and over the years I've seen LEDs getting cheaper, bigger, and brighter. I think they will be used for household lighting eventually, but it may take a while. I have noticed that LEDs are starting to be used for tail lights and brake lights on trucks. I can’t recall seing them on any cars yet, but I’m sure they will come. It seems like it could be a real safety issue since several LEDs could burn out before the light is unusable. I use LED lighting a lot in my profession and over the years I’ve seen LEDs getting cheaper, bigger, and brighter. I think they will be used for household lighting eventually, but it may take a while.

]]> By: Timothy Gaede http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5229 Timothy Gaede Wed, 22 Jun 2005 20:20:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5229 You can buy LED Christmas lights. Traditional lights use filaments and are are not too efficient, even less so than standard filament bulbs. Also, most of the visible light produced by traditional lights is absorbed by the colored bulbs. You can buy LED Christmas lights. Traditional lights use filaments and are are not too efficient, even less so than standard filament bulbs. Also, most of the visible light produced by traditional lights is absorbed by the colored bulbs.

]]> By: Paul West http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/comment-page-1/#comment-5228 Paul West Wed, 22 Jun 2005 17:06:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/06/21/led-by-the-nose/#comment-5228 The wilderness sportspeople have been using and following the LED illumination device progression for some time. A good review of the stuff that is in the marketplace (or soon will be) is here: http://www.equipped.com/SS_2005_LEDFlashlight_Review-1.htm I would expect these devices to be migrated rather rapidly into the home market. Regards, Paul The wilderness sportspeople have been using and following the LED illumination device progression for some time. A good review of the stuff that is in the marketplace (or soon will be) is here:

http://www.equipped.com/SS_2005_LEDFlashlight_Review-1.htm

I would expect these devices to be migrated rather rapidly into the home market.

Regards,

Paul

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