There's a chance that I've put this post in the wrong section - if I have please could it be moved to somewhere appropriate! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'm in the process of replacing my stop/tail lights on my bike with LEDs - I have tried some direct replacement LED lamps but they aren't anywhere near as bright as the original lamps so I thought I'd throw some luxeons in their place! People won't miss the fact that I'm braking!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
This is my rear light housing that I'm working with, I've already added some amber 1W luxeons which are used as my indicators. In the remaining space I originally was planning on putting about 6 red 1W luxeons on each side but then once I'd settled down after looking at the price and also the thermal requirements I've now settled on putting 4 1W luxeons on each side. As well as the luxeons I'm also going to put in a small cluster (14) of 3mm LEDs on each side.
Originally I was going to mount all these on 3mm aluminium which in turn was going to be stuck on the biggest heatsink I could get away with - Now I'm thinking of mounting everything on 10mm aluminium which will be about 65x40mm in size but I'm not sure if I'll still need a heatsink? The cluster of 3mm LEDs will be at a constant level and I don't think I need to be all that concerned about the temp that these will run at, it's the 1W luxeons... I'm planning on running these most of the time at around 50% brightness (depending on the colour shift I get at that level - i may need to run them at a higher level I guess) but when I stamp on the brakes they'll be at full brightness - and that's where I'm not sure how hot they'll get - I reckon that they'll be at full brightness for a maximum of a few minutes while I'm sitting at traffic lights or waiting to make a turn. Will 10mm aluminium be enough or should I play safe and bolt on a heatsink? I reckon that once I'm on the move I'll get some airflow running through those holes meant for the lamps so that'll help with cooling.
One last thing, I'll be driving the 1W'ers with 2 luxdrives - one of which will be 'dimmed' and the other will be at full power - Am I right in saying that if I join both +ve leads from the drivers (after a diode on each lead) will I have problems with over current? I mean, if one lead is carrying 175mA but then when I hit the brakes the other lead will then supply 350mA will that mean I'll be supplying 525mA? - I should've paid more attention at school but that was close on 18 years ago! lol
Thanks in advance for any advice anyone might have and sorry if this is a bit long winded!
I'm in the process of replacing my stop/tail lights on my bike with LEDs - I have tried some direct replacement LED lamps but they aren't anywhere near as bright as the original lamps so I thought I'd throw some luxeons in their place! People won't miss the fact that I'm braking!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
This is my rear light housing that I'm working with, I've already added some amber 1W luxeons which are used as my indicators. In the remaining space I originally was planning on putting about 6 red 1W luxeons on each side but then once I'd settled down after looking at the price and also the thermal requirements I've now settled on putting 4 1W luxeons on each side. As well as the luxeons I'm also going to put in a small cluster (14) of 3mm LEDs on each side.
Originally I was going to mount all these on 3mm aluminium which in turn was going to be stuck on the biggest heatsink I could get away with - Now I'm thinking of mounting everything on 10mm aluminium which will be about 65x40mm in size but I'm not sure if I'll still need a heatsink? The cluster of 3mm LEDs will be at a constant level and I don't think I need to be all that concerned about the temp that these will run at, it's the 1W luxeons... I'm planning on running these most of the time at around 50% brightness (depending on the colour shift I get at that level - i may need to run them at a higher level I guess) but when I stamp on the brakes they'll be at full brightness - and that's where I'm not sure how hot they'll get - I reckon that they'll be at full brightness for a maximum of a few minutes while I'm sitting at traffic lights or waiting to make a turn. Will 10mm aluminium be enough or should I play safe and bolt on a heatsink? I reckon that once I'm on the move I'll get some airflow running through those holes meant for the lamps so that'll help with cooling.
One last thing, I'll be driving the 1W'ers with 2 luxdrives - one of which will be 'dimmed' and the other will be at full power - Am I right in saying that if I join both +ve leads from the drivers (after a diode on each lead) will I have problems with over current? I mean, if one lead is carrying 175mA but then when I hit the brakes the other lead will then supply 350mA will that mean I'll be supplying 525mA? - I should've paid more attention at school but that was close on 18 years ago! lol
Thanks in advance for any advice anyone might have and sorry if this is a bit long winded!