SunDrop..a HOT little light

[pezdragon]

Has anybody noticed just how hot this little light gets after a short time, like 10 minutes or so? I had mine on for 1/2 hour or so last night and I actually could smell it "cooking" and It was almost to hot to hold. None the worst for wear tho, works just fine,as always...love this light...Rod

 

[Kiessling]

The NIchia LED is less efficient than the Cree or Seould LEDs (using the EZ1000 die), so more energy is converted to heat, thus the light gets warmer.

Mine is not cooking though. The L4 was cooking :devil:

bernie

 

[precisionworks]

Mine is not cooking though. The L4 was cooking :devil:

I agree, the L4 is the warmest light I've ever used. The SunDrop does warm quickly, but my use is intermittent, usually on for a minute or two at most. If the SD had the throw of the L4, it would see much more on time - I imagine it will take the manufacturers quite a while to reach 300 lumens/amp in a High CRI emitter.

 

[McGizmo]

Yes,
The Nichia 083 High CRI is not a great performer in terms of efficacy, unfortunately. The way the MCPCB is "clamped" between the converter can and head provide a good thermal path for the LED and it needs it, again unfortunately. A relatively high Vf (~3.8V) coupled with low flux by today's standards means more heat.