Cree CXA2011

Super Bright HBLED from Cree!

So, Cree was good enough to send me a free sample of their new XLamp HBLED.  In truth, this is an LED array packaged on a single die.  Very interesting and VERY bright.  I’m gonna have to get some serious sun glasses.  Right now I’m still seeing spots.

Sample Specs:

CREE-CXA2011-3000k

o Min Flux 780 lm@ 270mA , Tj = 85C
- Equivalent to 50 to 55 Watt Incandescent Bulb
o My Sample = 3000k Warm White
o Typical Vf = 40V @ 270mA & 85C
o Max Current = 1000mA
o $15 to $20 Bucks Each at Digikey

Heatsink:

A heatsink is absolutely required before powering up the LED.  Without a heatsink the LED will quickly runaway in temperature!  My first heatsink was simply a 4″ square piece of 1/8″ glass.  With just 100mA of current the glass right behind the LED measured 85ºC.  The glass was not good enough at wicking away the heat. Continue reading »

50¢ HBLEDs

Hold onto your hat – Santa Claus has brought us a new LED! The folks over at Optek have developed a new HBLED (High Brightness LED) that is a game changer. At least it seems like a game changer to us.

The LED cost 50 cents in quantities of 10 and drops to under 40 cents in quantities of 500. The LEDs are considered 1/2 watt (150mA @ 3.2V) and are only 3mm square. Note, the blue LED in the first picture is being driven with only 3mA of current. Any higher level of current makes the camera (and camera man) go blind. It’s just too darn bright to be able to photograph. The white and green LEDs are rated at 25lm each – the blue LED is rated at 6lm. The red LED is rated at 4000mcd. These are VERY bright LEDs.

As always, there is a downside, the LEDs are surface mount only. That coupled with, they must be mounted to some form of a heat-sink to be able to dissipate that 1/2 watt of heat. Continue reading »