Lightwasher question

[Phaserburn]

How much light does one of these give off in a dim room? Does it really put a decent amount of colored light onto the wall, or is it just a nightlight that changes colors?

Also, where is the cheapest place to get this family of products? All the Sauce products seem fairly identical (some exceptions) except for the packaging. Recommendations?

Also - anyone have a MusicLamp? (or Lightsickle)?

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I *had* a Sauce Lightwasher, but managed to destroy it in late 2001 after trying to run it on a dimmer circuit that a Christmas tree was running on. So I can't plug it in and tell you if it lights up well enough to light up a wall or a room.
A page about the Lightwasher is right here if you want to see it.

Cheapest place to buy Sauce products? Don't know that either.

Musiclamp or Lightsickle? Don't have one of those either. :-\

 

[Saaby]

They put off a fairly good ammount of light. It makes a fine bathroom night light and I have to turn mine off at night because they make it bright enough I can't sleep (I'm a flashaholic but it better be pitch black or I can't sleep). We have one in the kitchen but a combination of things (Large room, plugs under counters) make it less practical in there except in 'White' mode.

Wal-Mart, Toys R' Us are the *only* places to get them around here. I ran across some at a freight famage store for $2 each and still kick myself for not buying out their whole stock.

 

[JJHitt]

The Lightwasher puts out a good amount of light, but has a depressingly short lifespan.

I bought five of them when Target had then about two years ago. Of that five, three are dead and the other two are showing the same symptoms the others showed prior to failure.

My experience is that they only last about a year,

 

[Phaserburn]

Really. Have you contacted the company and told them about it? I know the warranty is 1 year, but 3 out of 5...! They should do something for you, IMHO.

 

[shankus]

My experience has been that in a dimly lit room, you will get some color on the wall. The effect is nice, if you're looking at it.

In a dark room, the light is too much for me to sleep as well, Saaby.

Sometimes when a friend and I sit up all night talking, I put the lightwasher on, as the only light in the room.


And then of course, there is the romantic time. The light washer gets the disco mode goin' on.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hahaha.gifSometimes, I even have my girlfriend over for these romantic times...

 

[Zigzago]

I got one online from Glowbug.

The color pattern extends about 6 inches down (up) the wall and, as the others have said, is fairly bright.

I've had mine for about 6 months with no problems so far.

 

[Artie Choke]

[ QUOTE ]
Phaserburn said:
Also - anyone have a MusicLamp? (or Lightsickle)?

[/ QUOTE ]

I had both. I gave away the MusicLamp, as it samples around 20 times a second, and depending on the music source - it flashes a lot and flashing/blinking lights bug me bigtime! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif This may not be a problem for you.

I still have the Lightsickle - I think I have the first rev and it's not random - it goes through the rainbow colors - up and down - the same cycle for awhile, then switches. It does skip colors, but only one inbetween and it goes to white too much for my taste. I understand the newer ones should be more random, but I have not tried one out. One thing about the plastic they use to channel the light - as the light is getting more intense, there will be up to 3 different hues at one time - which makes a nice effect! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[highlandsun]

I think the Lightwasher is pretty lame. As a nightlight it's OK but its overall spread of color is not more than 2-3 feet. That's why I built my MegaWasher to really cover an entire wall.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Compared to your MegaWasher, the LightWasher is really a LightDoucher. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif :toliet: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[RonM]

We've had a couple of LightWashers running almost full time for a couple of years now. No signs of any problems yet. To appreciate their effect, the room should be dark. After all there are only 3 (or is it 4?) standard LEDs in the thing. Kids love 'em.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I believe there are 6 LEDs in a LightDoucher. Two red, two green, and two blue.

(Edit; a few minutes later) I just took mine apart, and yes, there are 6 LEDs in it.

 

[highlandsun]

Yep. I was surprised to note that the green and blue have very different Vf. Figured they'd be about the same, and both higher than the red (well, that much is true.)

My next project along these lines will probably be as Doug suggested - two strings of RGB Luxeon clusters, with stereo audio input as an optional intensity control. red for bass, green for mid range, and blue for treble. Should be pretty cool when it's done.

 

[JJHitt]

>>>
Have you contacted the company and told them about it?
>>>

No, I didn't. No longer have the proof or purchasing and I'm not overy interested in making a warrenty claim. I'm not good about putting things in the mail (I'm still working on my 1983 Christmas card list.)

I'm suprised that I seem to be alone in having a problem, as all of mine displayed identical symptoms on their way out: first the blue flickers, then dies, followed by green and finally red. The actual period of decline can be weeks or even a couple of months.

 

[Phaserburn]

What was your usage like typically? A few hours/evening, 24/7, ? Shouldn't matter, but just wondering.

 

[LEDmodMan]

I have been thinking about one of these for my baby daughter's room (she's due to be born Oct. 3). However, Toys R Us B&M stores do not carry any of the CK line anymore. They discontinued them last November. FYI. If you want one, you'll have to get it somewhere else. I wonder if Wally World still has them?

*edit*
I can't seen to find these at any B&M store. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif Not only that, many online stores no longer sell them or are backordered! Hmmm... Is CK not going to be around for much longer???

 

[JJHitt]

Phaserburn: 24/7 in a reasonably "normal" environment.

LEDmodMan: There was a link here to a news story about CK recently. They are doing very well, but are concentrating on the theatrical/specialty market which is more profitable than the 'consumer products' market.

 

[LEDmodMan]

OK, I'll go search for it. I have to go to Wally World anyway, so I'll see if they still have them. If not, there's still a few online places that have these...

*edit*
Oh yes, now I remember the article. I just forgot it mentioned that they were involved elsewhere than the consumer market. Hopefully I can find a lightwasher tonight at walmart.

 

[Hemingray]

I've had a lightwasher running 24/7 for over 2 years and no problems yet . It serves as a top of the stairs night light, the wall is painted semi-gloss white, which helps make it appear a little brighter.

I tried one of CK Sauce's 11 (5 red, 3 blue, 3 green) LED "light TRO bulbs" that fit a standard light socket, it ran fine for a couple months then the blue LEDs started flickering and flashing, not sure if it is bad solder or failing components. The translucent cover is glued on very well, so I haven't yet tried an autopsy to see if it is repairable or not.

The "Light-TRO " came from C Crane, about $28. www.ccrane.com
http://www.ccrane.com/lighttro_in_home_lighting.asp

/ed B in NH

 

[sunspot]

I have a CK lightwasher and a Lightsickle. Of the two, I like the Lightsickle better. I also have a LED glass globe from Wally-world that is quite nice as there are multiple modes to choose from and it's only about $16.00 and I use it more than the Lightwasher.