Why do LEDs get regulated?

[mesa232323]

Why don't I see direct drive setups? For obvious reasons I know that the emitters will overheat in some setups but do they run less efficient? Will they draw excess current?

 

[TEEJ]

Why don't I see direct drive setups? For obvious reasons I know that the emitters will overheat in some setups but do they run less efficient? Will they draw excess current?

A lot is because you wanted a certain amount of light to SEE with, and an unregulated light gets progressively dimmer as the cells drain.




And, there ARE direct drive set-ups, mostly for pocket-rockets, and/or other lights where they just want to hit as high an output number as possible, for advertising, sheets and geegles, or whatever.

 

[Thr3Evo]

This is a good thread to look over in order to get a better understanding.