LED Temperature range

[karasumi]

I'm looking to use LED fixtures in a very cold environment - around -10 °C. I've checked the specs of ETC Coloursource profiles and Martin Rush PAR 2s, both of which list their minimum ambient temperature as 0 °C.

Has anyone had any experience using them in lower temperatures, or know units that can survive at -10 °C? I've seen tell of LED flood lights that have operating temperatures down to -40 °C, but I'm looking to use profile and narrow-ish wash units as well.

[timsabre]

The temperature limitation will be due to limits on components in the driver e.g. electrolytic capacitors don't do well below freezing. If you can keep the fixtures powered on all the time they'll generate a bit of heat themselves which will help.

 

I would put this question to the fixture manufacturers as they'll have experience of many different use conditions.

[Jivemaster]

As above, plus; circuits don't like thermal cycling through freezing point due to the accumulation of condensation or frost -which warms to become conductive sometimes frying the whole board.

[Smiffy]

As everyone above has said, talk directly to the manufacturers. They'll probably be very interested in knowing about the project too, as such environments will give them some useful info on the behaviour of the kit.

[Jivemaster]

There was long ago, a thread about leaving conventionally lit movers on 24/7 with the lamps extinguished when not needed, in an event in Northern Norway or Sweden. the theory being that basic power to the boards would keep them just above condensation temperature as the ambient plunged to below -20c AFTER a nice hot and sweaty dance event.

 

Is "lamp off electronics in standby" available on your fittings?

 

IMO specifically electrolytic capacitors on the board may malfunction below 0c and any condensation on the board as it cools to -5c or lower will offer the opportunity for power tracking across the board on start up of a cold board.

 

Ask the manufacturers or their (Scandinavian) importer/dealer.

[bobalobus]

Hi

 

We do a rather extensive install in a freezer a few years ago, we used a mixerture of Phillips and eleation IP fixtures, there this running well other then the od issue and it's been over 5 years now

[gyro_gearloose]

There was long ago, a thread about leaving conventionally lit movers on 24/7 with the lamps extinguished when not needed, in an event in Northern Norway or Sweden. the theory being that basic power to the boards would keep them just above condensation temperature as the ambient plunged to below -20c AFTER a nice hot and sweaty dance event.

 

I would imagine that the idea behind keeping the fixtures running was to keep the fans going so they can push any humid air out of the fixtures before it can condense. Either that or there was enough heat generated by the motors motor driver chips to keep everything above freezing. Since the OPs fixtures don't have stepper motors in them I doubt the electronics will create enough heat to keep everything warm.

[timsabre]

Since the OPs fixtures don't have stepper motors in them I doubt the electronics will create enough heat to keep everything warm.

 

No they would, it's surprising even when a PSU and processor is idling you get enough heat to keep it above freezing. It wouldn't be "warm" to the touch but it would help.

[Jivemaster]

If any part is 1C above other places, it will be dry enough not to form condensation -condensation which could be conductive enough to let power track across the wrong places on the pcb.