I want a Project :)

[peza2010]

I Now have a bit more spare time on my hands than im used to, and want to involve myself in some kind of lighting "project", more than likely some kind of build project. So basically im asking for any ideas on what to have a go at, and any stories of similar things people have undertaken.

 

I quiet like the idea of converting generic parcans into led cans, I know "conversion kits" are available, but would like to take a more in depth approach to it.. possibly buying things like this.

 

and digging out some old parcans I have hidden away in the corner of my garage.

so what do people think about this idea?

 

cheers

[OllieH]

I can't imagine that you'll have much luck with that. Those 'ultra bright' LEDs are only 5mm, considering most - nearly all - PARs feature 10mm LEDs and reach the other side of 10,000 mcd, you'll just be about able to light a tea lamp with those. Plus, these are cheap foreign imports.

 

I found http://www.gotwind.org/diy/led_experiments.htm and http://www.gizmology.net/LEDs.htm quite useful.

 

Hope this helps.

[Wol]

I can't imagine that you'll have much luck with that. Those 'ultra bright' LEDs are only 5mm, considering most - nearly all - PARs feature 10mm LEDs and reach the other side of 10,000 mcd,

 

in the space of 10mm square, you can have: 4 x 8000mcd 5mm LEDs or 1 x 10000 mcd 10mm LED.

 

Which of those setups is brighter?

 

Also, in my experience, 5mm ultrabright LEDs are a lot easier and cheaper to come by than 10mm ultrabright ones.

 

Whichever way:

 

To the OP: What sort of knowledge and technical know how do you have? What sort of things interest you? Do you want to do the generic "I'll make a LED light" that everyone seems to do (there was a post only yesterday / day before from someone asking the same), or do you want to try and do something more unique?

 

Do you have any other ideas of your own apart from making a homemade LED parcan?

 

etc....

[Brian]

Useful supplier of LEDs.

[back_ache]

I quiet like the idea of converting generic parcans into led cans, I know "conversion kits" are available, but would like to take a more in depth approach to it

 

Why not make an single channel analogue controlled parcan that uses warm white led's, there are lots of projects out there that use RGB and have to have chips blown, it'd be nice to see something that someone could just achieve with analogue components and a bit of veroboard.

 

Once you have done is you could document it, share the plans and even have youtube videos.

 

(I know you can't really gel white leds, but I was thinking it could be useful for things where just white is needed such as house lights)

[Wol]

Useful supplier of LEDs.

 

And if you buy from them once - check the small print on the packing note you get. Theres some form of "well done for reading this - have a discount" thing. Or there was the last time I looked!

[Ynot]

I know you can't really gel white leds,....

Why on earth not??

[peza2010]

I quiet like the idea of converting generic parcans into led cans, I know "conversion kits" are available, but would like to take a more in depth approach to it

 

Why not make an single channel analogue controlled parcan that uses warm white led's, there are lots of projects out there that use RGB and have to have chips blown, it'd be nice to see something that someone could just achieve with analogue components and a bit of veroboard.

 

Once you have done is you could document it, share the plans and even have youtube videos.

 

(I know you can't really gel white leds, but I was thinking it could be useful for things where just white is needed such as house lights)

 

 

I like this idea!! and as everyone knows RGB doesnt make very good white!

so indeed why not have a version of a LED can that actually makes white

combining the low energy and low maintence LED option..

 

I will definatly look into this!

[Neil Hampson]

I know you can't really gel white leds,....

Why on earth not??

I was under the impression that LED sources were rather monochomatic, and white LEDs were made up of a blue LED with added yellow to make the white, but the output is not a continuous spectrum. similar to a neon. I know that technology is moving at a much faster rate than my expectations of understanding these days so there may well be a full spectrum LED, I'm not sure.

 

I would have thought you could gel them, but would get unexpected results.

[Brian]

Actually white LEDs are getting quite good...