LED for cheap shop light array?

[DanglerB]

I bought one of the $20 on sale Harbor Freight 9x5 LED array shop lights, and its sort of a light, but nothing like 270 lumens. First time I saw it though I was thinking it could be pretty nice with a simple upgrade to better LEDs and maybe some circuit changes to bump the current. Power supply is I think 4.5 watts, but I would likely swap in a laptop adapter with 15W to 30W depending on devices used.

Its a cheap light, and will need 45 LEDs unless I did some partial replacement. Any suggestions on a source for cheap bright LEDs "around" 30W/45 power usage continuous?

Bonus points if I can leave it looking stock, tell people yeah this is the $20 HF light, then zots of brightness, but I do still want to be able to use the darn thing, so not insanely insane bright, just moderately insanely bright.

Harbor Freight 45 Bulb LED Work Light

 

[moderator007]

This thread may interest you. You dont have to use those leds or use that many watts but should give you some ideas.

 

[DanglerB]

Thanks, shows it can be done. My aim is to use a cheaper lower power LED, but 45 of them instead of 6.

Snooping a little on ebay I found 50 pc of 100ma 5mm devices for less than $30, which I think is my target zone for a total around 15w.

some info from the ad
SPECIFICATIONS:

• Source Material:InGaN !
• Emitting Colour: 5mm 60° 5-Chips 0.5 Watt High Power WHITE LED
• LENS Type:Water clear
• Color Temperature: 8000K
• Luminous Intensity-MCD: Min: 90,000mcd Max: 130,000 mcd
• Reverse Voltage:5.0 V
• DC Forward Voltage: Typical: 3.4 V Max: 3.6V
• DC Forward Current:100mA
• Viewing Angle:60 degree
• Lead Soldering Temp:260°C for 5 seconds
• Intensely Bright

 

[jason 77]

Thanks, shows it can be done. My aim is to use a cheaper lower power LED, but 45 of them instead of 6.

Snooping a little on ebay I found 50 pc of 100ma 5mm devices for less than $30, which I think is my target zone for a total around 15w.

some info from the ad
SPECIFICATIONS:

• Source Material:InGaN !
• Emitting Colour: 5mm 60° 5-Chips 0.5 Watt High Power WHITE LED
• LENS Type:Water clear
• Color Temperature: 8000K
• Luminous Intensity-MCD: Min: 90,000mcd Max: 130,000 mcd
• Reverse Voltage:5.0 V
• DC Forward Voltage: Typical: 3.4 V Max: 3.6V
• DC Forward Current:100mA
• Viewing Angle:60 degree
• Lead Soldering Temp:260°C for 5 seconds
• Intensely Bright

Not to sound mean or any thing but those 5 chip 5mm leds are probably junk and will not last long at 100ma... not to mention that even if they lasted they would not put out anywhere near 1/4 of what one of those XML leds used in the link above can put out....

 

[Inkidu]

As a general statement cheap "teardrop" led lose there intensity quickly.

There is a reason why many people on this site use name brand large die led.

Even one Cree XM-L can be very bright.
If a larger die led is under powered it will last a very long time and be very efficient (less heat).
A meanwell lplc-18-700 powering say 4-6 Cree XP-G might work well.
Shop around and that setup can be built fairly cheap, and those are long lasting quality parts.
Hope this helps.

 

[DanglerB]

All the MA MCD etc and I am just guessing what might happen, so don't worry about mean.

I would kind of like to stick to two design goals, looks like the original, puts out more light. The original uses I think 5mm typical looking old school LEDs, isn't there some step up from that in the same size? I figure HF must of sourced the cheapest available, so 10x as bright should be doable.

 

[jason 77]

All the MA MCD etc and I am just guessing what might happen, so don't worry about mean.

I would kind of like to stick to two design goals, looks like the original, puts out more light. The original uses I think 5mm typical looking old school LEDs, isn't there some step up from that in the same size? I figure HF must of sourced the cheapest available, so 10x as bright should be doable.

Can't tell from the picture what type of LEDs are in that thing... I would take it apart and take pictures so we can see what kind of set up the light has.

 

[DanglerB]

Trouble is right now its a not real bright, but still useful shop light, and once apart its a project in a box for a few weeks or more.

I think what I will do is jump in, spend about $15 or so on whatever looks best on ebay about the same size, and when they arrive take it apart, take picts, and see if I guessed well. I will give it a better eyeball check before ordering anything, but my guess right now is that its 5mm devices on a circuit board of some kind.

I guess I need to figure out how to put images up here too, do I need something like photohut to link to?

 

[moderator007]

I use photobucket with a direct link. You can use what ever you choose. Click the little picture frame looking Icon at the top of your reply and insert link.

 

[Norm]

I guess I need to figure out how to put images up here too, do I need something like photohut to link to?

Try this Sticky

Norm