Colored Luxeon Runtimes?

Are colored luxeons likely to get better runtime than white luxeons? I'm particularly interested in red as I have just recently gotten a red Fenix L1P from 4 sevens. I must say, BTW that is is the best red LED light that I have seen so far.

At any rate, I know that the red 5 mm LEDs get fantastic runtime compared to white 5mm but didn't know if this energy conserving tendency extended to luxeons as well. I know someone here can tell me all about it! LOL.

Hi Peter

The Red, RED / Orange, and Amber LEDs are typically made from AlInGaP instead of the GaN (used for Blue / White / Green), the significance being that they have a much lower forward voltage (Vf). For lights that are current managed, this will usually provide longer run time.

So it doesn't matter if it is luxeon or the 5mm type emitters? Same kind of benefit with each?

yup, the red, Red/orange and amber is great on effeciency

Outstanding! Does anyone know of a runtime test listed anywhere showing the performance of AA 1 watt red luxeon? Maybe an old Arc LS test or something with a AA body? I know, worse comes to worst I can waste a battery to find out but I thought I'd ask.

Well, I threw a fresh Duracell in there and fired it up. At about 1.5 hours it became much much much dimmer. It is still going at 2 hours and is putting out enough to navigate the house but nothing like on a fresh battery. So my suspicions were correct: red Luxeons are pretty much like white luxeons in terms of runtime and output. They are NOT like red 5mm LEDs at all.

Totally dead at 3 hours.

Peter, the Vf of a typical RED Luxeon driven at spec runs about 2.5 - 3 volts, which is approx 0.5 - 1 volt lower than the typical white. If you were to use a Lux III red, and drive it at 350ma, it would have an even lower Vf - probably closer to the 2 volts you are more used to from a 5mm.

There is a range of Vf within each part so that some almost overlap is possible. Still, when you are pulling almost 1 watt from a small battery, there are limits.

Many of the 5mm red parts are quite a deep red, which allows an even lower Vf, but also lower eye sensitivity.