I have a small keychain LED light. I find that it is no longer bright as what it used to be (probably around 1.5-2yrs ago). Does the LED bulb become less bright over time? I have tried changing the batteries but it still seems the same... it could be possible the batteries that I have changed them over with are duds?
Do LEDs become less bright overtime?
- Thread starter hazna
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Illumination
Flashlight Enthusiast
Leds definitely lose power over time (from use), but my guess is that the batteries are the primary difference in this case. Is it possible that you just remember it being stronger?
Marduke
Flashaholic
They degrade by a small amount after thousands of hours of use. However, it could be a host of other issues, such as corroded contacts or a poor connection. What light is it? Pictures or a link would help.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
Yes, LEDs dim overtime.
If your keychain light has fresh batteries and uses a 5mm LED, then it is highly likely that it was degraded a lot quicker because it is probably overdriving the LED.
If your keychain light has fresh batteries and uses a 5mm LED, then it is highly likely that it was degraded a lot quicker because it is probably overdriving the LED.
I'm guessing it's one of those 5mm keychain lights which use relatively weak button cells. Therefore, you'd probably have to go through thousands of battery changes to be able to see the expected depreciation in output. Heat (overdriving) is what kills them slowly and those little button cells just do not have the oomph to do that.
Its an LED lenser, uses AG5 batteries. I bought 'fresh' batteries from DX, but i've heard that sometimes their batteries aren't too great...
I forgot to mention the light also has a purplish tinge to it now. I can't seem to easily unscrew the top part where the bulb is, so I can't tell u to much about that atm.
I forgot to mention the light also has a purplish tinge to it now. I can't seem to easily unscrew the top part where the bulb is, so I can't tell u to much about that atm.
Marduke
Flashaholic
It's probably crap cells from china that's not helping.
Time to upgrade?
Time to upgrade?
is it this?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6257
thats looks like a crappy light man....:nana:
get the fauxtons, 5x10 pack is good..but if thats you in the review, then you already have fauxtons...get more!
Crenshaw
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6257
thats looks like a crappy light man....:nana:
get the fauxtons, 5x10 pack is good..but if thats you in the review, then you already have fauxtons...get more!
Crenshaw
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Marduke
Flashaholic
This is probably the LED Lenser he's probably talking about (V9)
http://www.coastportland.com/files/product/LEDLenser/LL7513.jpg
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I haven't found anything of the same size and build quality as this keychain torch (size is very important for me).
I recently got http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.824, and this is a pretty good alternative. Small and bright (for a keychain LED). I find it a little plasticy though..
I recently got http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.824, and this is a pretty good alternative. Small and bright (for a keychain LED). I find it a little plasticy though..
tsask
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2005
- Messages
- 1,761
Sounds like you learned a "LED Lenser lesson".
Alot of those lights look cool, BUT for various reasons, quite often some of them can not handle regular use. I've owned 6-8 of various LED Lenser models. I can also personally say they will assist with service/warranty issues. The AG5 batteries, IMHO don't make that light too endearing either.
This is also one of the reasons why the ARC AAA-P became a treasured classic, still serves many EDC needs
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This is probably the LED Lenser he's probably talking about (V9)
http://www.coastportland.com/files/product/LEDLenser/LL7513.jpg[/IMG]
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Marduke
Flashaholic
Have you considered a AAA light? About the same size, and you can get one that is MANY times brighter.
PaulHsu
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2007
- Messages
- 121
which one is a good one?
Federal LG
Flashlight Enthusiast
Listen to the wise words of Marduke! :thumbsup:
WadeF
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've had an Arc AAA for many years now. Just the other month I decided to try and clean it up, since I've recently gotten more into flashlights and in the past I never bothered to try and do any maitenance with my ARC. So I took a LUX reading before I did anything. After cleaning the contacts with DeoxIT there was a noteable improvement in output. I would imagine when the light was new it had similar, or the same, output, but over the years a lot of crude built up on the contacts, threads, etc.
I also polished up the reflector and the LED itself with a q-tip and some 0.25 micron diamond paste. The reflector got scratched up over the years, and even the LED got scratched up. The polishing paste polished up the reflector, removing scratches, and it removed scratches from the LED's lens as well. Went back to the LUX meter, even more improvement.
So a light will oxidize/corrode over the years, and may suffer damage and wear to the front lens/exposed reflector, etc.
So it may just need some TLC and a fresh battery.
I also polished up the reflector and the LED itself with a q-tip and some 0.25 micron diamond paste. The reflector got scratched up over the years, and even the LED got scratched up. The polishing paste polished up the reflector, removing scratches, and it removed scratches from the LED's lens as well. Went back to the LUX meter, even more improvement.
So a light will oxidize/corrode over the years, and may suffer damage and wear to the front lens/exposed reflector, etc.
So it may just need some TLC and a fresh battery.
Marduke
Flashaholic
It depends on how deep you are willing to dig into your wallet. You can juggle brightness, build quality, multiple modes, user choice of modes, longevity, size, and of course price.
What's your poison? For a AAA LED light, you can go from $6 to $150
A couple highlights:
Dorcy from WalMart $6ish
Ultrafire B3 or 602C from DX $10-18ish
Romisen from DX $11ish
Fenix LOD Q4 $40ish
Arc AAA +P DS $45ish
And on up
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