Questions about LED plant lights

[ho333ard]

I have 4 LED panels with blue and red lights in use for seed starting.
2 have been in steady use and two I just retrieved from the attic.
I noticed that the less used panels are significantly brighter.

No surprise as it is well known that LEDs dim with age, although I wasn't expecting so much loss in less than a year . . . my question:

Do they consume less electricity as they dim? If so, I can kind of live with this-- just suck it up and move the lights closer to the plants.


Also, a side question for anyone familiar with seed starting-- do the plants need a rest or is it OK to leave lights on 24h?

Thanks!

 

[asdalton]

LEDs that have dimmed due to age or overdriving are still consuming the same power; they have simply become less efficient.

Plants need a light/dark cycle, and they should not be under lights constantly.

 

[ho333ard]

Thanks . . . when you say "overdriving" does that mean too high voltage, or running too much of the time?

 

[thepaan]

Not all plants require a dark period. It depends on the plant.

 

[Elemental LED staff]

Overdriving means that they would be getting too much power. So if they're rated for 12V and they're getting 14V, they're overdriven, and this would shorten the lifespan of the bulb. Also getting slightly less power than they need, or getting fluctuating voltage levels, will shorten LED life.

And, yea, it's surprising that they are fading within a year! Good-quality LEDs are rated from 20,000 to 50,000 hours.

 

[Ken_McE]

Also getting slightly less power than they need, or getting fluctuating voltage levels, will shorten LED life.

Underdriving them (less power) should make them dimmer, but longer lasting.