Need help finding wide angle LED's

Ernie

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 28, 2004
Messages
27
Location
Ventura CA
Need help finding wide angle LED\'s

HI I was hoping someone might know where to find LED's with viewing angles in the 45 degree and up range.I did find some but they were kinda expensive at $2.00 each.Thanks for any help.

Ernie
 

LED_ASAP

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 13, 2002
Messages
567
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Re: Need help finding wide angle LED\'s

You can cut off the head of a regular LED to get near 180 degree angle. To do so, simply use a thin blade to cut ~1mm above the LED die, then use fine sandpaper, followed by toothpaste to polish the end.
 

The_LED_Museum

*Retired*
Joined
Aug 12, 2000
Messages
19,414
Location
Federal Way WA. USA
Re: Need help finding wide angle LED\'s

I used that method to make homemade "lasers" in the early 1980s. Granted, they weren't very powerful, but I could project a beam across a large, moderately-lit room and get an easily visible spot on the wall.
 

Ernie

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 28, 2004
Messages
27
Location
Ventura CA
Re: Need help finding wide angle LED\'s

Hey thats a great idea.I think I'll buy some cheap LED's from ebay and try that idea out on a few.Thanks alot.

Ernie
 

idleprocess

Flashaholic
Joined
Feb 29, 2004
Messages
7,197
Location
decamped
Re: Need help finding wide angle LED\'s

Look for "spider" LEDs or rectangular 120/140-degree LEDs. They both cover very wide angles.

www.whitelightled.com sells white 120/140 LEDs. $1 each, and I think they're Nichia product - good fellow to deal with even if his site is a bit crude.
 
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