LED lights making their way to mainstream in 2009

[wpsedgwick]

Source: Green Technology Daily

Many consumers have an annual rendezvous with LED lights during the holidays - hanging up colorful lights on the house or encircling a festive Christmas tree. And in the past, many people had very little experience using this type of energy-efficient lighting technology for general lighting uses.

But according to semiconductor research company iSuppli, LED lights are big this year, REAL big. Isuppli on Tuesday forecast double-digit sales growth in the next three years for all types of LED lights, which are increasingly used in everything from street lights to flat-screen TVs.


Read more: http://www.greentechnologydaily.com/products/544-led-lights-making-their-way-to-mainstream-in-2009

[ixion]

1. LED Lights are awesome...

I'm using them all over the place now.

[regnaD kciN]

2. A lot better than CFLs...

I just wish they weren't so expensive.

[hedgehog]

9. I'm looking for something to take the place of 60 watt incadescent.

Anything like that on the market yet?

( I do have the equivalent flourescents in place now, I just don't know the lumens off-hand.)

[ixion]

10. Yep, I've seen some 40 watt bulbs in the hardware store...

I believe there were 60 watt equivalents as well.

The nice thing is that they take only about 10% of that, and they last forever.

I've had an small LED light illuminating one of my server boxes for the past 4 years, and it's still going strong.

The bulbs cost more, but it's worth the price, IMO.

[KurtNYC]

36. I saw some Philips LED bulbs at Home Depot

I think they were $40. Haven't tried any of those yet but Philips spent $$$s developing them. I like the linear stuff better.

I think that if you are going to replace incandescent with something that will last for 15 years or so, then it doesn't especially have to be in the shape of a bulb. LED is little squares that have a maximum beam spread of about 120 degrees. Incandescent is essentially a controlled fire inside of a glass bulb with a 360 degree spread. Reaping the benefits of LED will depend on the shape of the fixture. Consumers want a new light source in a familiar shape but LED wants to lay flat IMHO.

[CoffeeCat]

3. LED lights in street lights are killing people...

Apparently, LED street lights don't run as hot as regular lights. So, snow and ice stick to
them, and have blocked the light from the view of drivers--who end up running the lights.
Fatalities have been reported.

Let's hope that this problem is addressed before LED fever gets any hotter.

[saigon68]

4. Yes at least 5 have died because of this.

[A Physicist]

6. LED Streetlights & Snow

Do you have a link to this claim about "LED lights in street lights are killing people..." because of snow/ice buildup?

[sorcrow]

7. Traffic lights, not street lights

And there was a story in the news in the last couple of days.
Here's one link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091216/ap_on_re_us/us_snow_covered_stoplights

Crow

[A Physicist]

8. That makes more sense

Sounds like they need to do a trade study:

LED+Anti-Ice/Snow heaters = X Watts

Old lights with natural Anti-Ice/Snow capabilities = Y Watts

If X<Y, go LED+heaters, otherwise go back to the old lights where weather requires.

[sendero]

58. Why not..

... put a temp sensor on the light and turn on a heater when needed? Still a huge net energy efficiency gain.

[quakerboy]

59. Not necessarily

Think what would go into manufacturing the new system. Not only do you have to have swap out for a more expensive LED, but then you have to add a temp sensor and a heater, and maintain those. The benifit of the LED is they don't die easy. Heaters exposed to weather extremes on the other hand, might not be expected to have the same longevity.

Still, it seems like a worthy effort, something to look into. Perhaps it would be as big a gain as could be asked for.

[uncle ray]

13. please, it's inattentive drivers.

if you approach a traffic signal and can't see red, amber, or green, you STOP!

[superconnected]

14. And what, wait for the road crew to show up at every led light in your town

To clean them, meanwhile everything turns into a 4 way stop. I think the power company is busy enough.

[jberryhill]

30. I Like To Think Of That As "Green Jobs Which Can't Be Exported" /nt

[uncle ray]

31. good old fashioned stop signs have the exact same problem.

city maintainence crews are not dispatched to clear ice off them. people know what to do, or so it seems.

[Thor_MN]

39. You have never had a power outage in your neck of the woods?

Same deal. And if it's snowing hard enough to cover the signal lights, you shouldn't be driving fast to start with.

It's depressing to think about the number of people that are increasingly reliant on being told what to do every minute of the day.

I don't see a red light, so my green must be burned out/covered in snow is not a survival strategy.

[dmallind]

57. Just treat it as a 4 way stop. Simple. Works fine, NT

[Deja Q]

18. And if you can't see the traffic light, there - oh my word! - might be traffic in front of you!

The lights are useful but not as revealing as the big SUV with big red glowing lights... those aren't LED and those are much more easily recognizable to begin with.

[jmowreader]

21. No they're not. Trust me on this.

If someone is going to drive like a moran and not see something, it doesn't matter how large or well-lit it is, they're going to hit it.

[KittyWampus]

23. Then why bother having green at all? We should just all be as attentive as you and STOP.

[uncle ray]

33. yes, if you're not going to pay attention to traffic signals, please do STOP.

hang up your keys because you don't belong on the road then. it is of no insignificant importance to be entering an intersection with traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. with caution and awareness, especially in poor weather. you should be looking for side traffic who may not be paying attention to the signals and road conditions. i don't know what you do while driving, but yes, i take it seriously and pay attention to what i am doing behind the wheel. i ask that you do the same. if you can't or won't, then please, for the love of humanity, stop driving.

have a nice day.

[dysfunctional press]

48. why would anyone be less than completely attentive while driving...?

please tell me that you don't have a valid driver's license.

[Deja Q]

17. Maybe people should look at the traffic instead of the traffic lights.

Yes, the green may be subdued by snow. But it's hard to conceal a car and its brake lights...

[WriteDown]

19. Doubt it will be a problem in my house though....

:)

[Nihil]

20. LED lights aren't killing anyone. Crap drivers are killing people and that really isn't news.

If you are too fucking stupid to drive across a junction
without causing an accident, don't blame it on the snow
on the traffic lights.

:eyes:

Another prime example of dodging the responsibility for
their own actions. Darwin Awards all round.

[KittyWampus]

24. Blaming a driver for faulty equipment on street lights is sick.

[Nihil]

29. Blaming an inanimate device for the shortcomings of a human is pathetic.

Do you also blame the cellphone rather than the prick who crashes
whilst using it?

How about the bottle of vodka rather than the drunk driver who
consumed it?

What about blaming the internet for the moron who stayed up so late
in a chatroom that he fell asleep, ran off the road and caused a train
to crash that killed 10 people?

Your inability to recognise the responsibility of the individual
is what is really sick ... just one step away from cursing at the
"Weather Gods" for "causing" the snow in the first place ...

:eyes:

[jbnow]

44. Sort of silly comparison. LED lights are not killing anyone

The use of them where this situation is likely to occur is.

Yes drivers should be more attentive but if there is no light at all eyes might be even drawn to the light fixture, especially under snowy conditions. I very much doubt seeing no light on the traffic light they happily assume it is green and just keep going.

LEDs were put in with good intentions but not in these places until they find a way to resolve the issue.

Quite honestly if someone is hit by a driver going through the invisible red light it doesn't much matter to them if it is the light or the driver more to blame.
Lights need to work.

[Nihil]

64. That's exactly what I said in the first place ...

.20> LED lights aren't killing anyone. Crap drivers are killing people
.20> and that really isn't news.

Dumbshits who don't know how to drive safely shouldn't be driving.
Full stop.

> Quite honestly if someone is hit by a driver going through the
> invisible red light it doesn't much matter to them if it is the
> light or the driver more to blame.

You could say exactly the same about someone who is hit in broad
daylight with a bulb out. Or at night. With or without snow.
In any of the above four cases, it is the bad driver who is to
blame. So what was your point again?
:shrug:

[Tailormyst]

37. If a traffic light is out, you stop. It really is that simple.

When did people become so lacking in common sense?

[silverweb]

25. New business opportunity:

Someone can develop a heating filament that will kick in when it's cold/snowing/icy that will clear the face of the lights, just like the heating filaments in the rear windows of many cars.

Problem solved.

It won't take long.

[Lochloosa]

26. We have never had that problem here.

Of course I live in FL.
:evilgrin:

[Thor_MN]

41. Sure you have, down there is just a lot wetter.

Hurricane driven torrential rain, power outages, same deal. An idiot who proceeds through a major intersection where the signals are out at full speed is a problem. Blaiming the crash on the absence of the traffic signals is pathetic.

[kestrel91316]

28. Blanket condemnation of LED street lights is completely unwarranted.

They are a FABULOUS thing in our climate, for instance. And the greater LA metro area has, as you can imagine, MILLIONS of the darn things. So our energy savings are huge. And as they put in the new LED lights, they are upgrading the pedestrian crossing signals, too, which were woefully inadequate and poorly maintained.

Colder climates will need to evaluate solutions to the dilemma - it sounds like the little heater wires are an easy fix. In the meantime, drivers need to be aware and always reduce speed in bad conditions and pay attention to the road, and not talking on cell phones or texting or drinking or whatever the hell else they do that distracts them.

[dysfunctional press]

47. you mean traffic lights, NOT streetlights.

i sure hope that you don't have a driver's license if you don't know the difference.

[upstandingcitizens]

53. No worries

they'll address the problem somehow. LED's are the future and they'll fix things like this as they crop up.

[MessiahRp]

5. Spent $50 and upgraded my Xmas tree with LED lights. My tree has never looked better.

Seriously bright, beautiful... the old mini lights look dull and almost non-existent in comparison.

Rp

[TommyO]

11. We're using the LEDs that we got at Lowes this year

it's their store-branded Holiday Living 200-ct string of LED lights, they're bright and don't have the LED flicker that I can spot a hundred miles away.

We're also using C9 sized LED lights outside, they're not as bright, but they look great.

In both cases, they're going to use a lot less electricity than the incandescent versions that they replaced.

[regnaD kciN]

34. There has been a big improvement in LED Christmas lights this year...

In previous years, the blues were very strong, the reds and greens O.K., but they had very poor yellows and oranges, making displays look spacy rather than bright and colorful. I don't know what's happened this year -- possibly an improvement in the coloring of the plastic "bulb" shapes surrounding the LEDs themselves -- but the warm colors have really improved in brightness and saturation. We just switched from our old set to LEDs for the outside bushes, and are quite happy with the change. Not only do they save energy, but draw less current, so you don't have problems with blown fuses when you run them all from one outlet. We used to have 75 standard lights on our bushes, and couldn't go with more without needing to use a second outlet. With the LEDs, I can now put 200 bulbs on the same bushes, save money, and not worry about blown fuses.

[superconnected]

12. I'm all led lights now but driving through the neighborhood I notice my and other people who used

led's lights look very muted. The normal ones are bright. It's easy to see the difference. I'm not liking how muted these are. I'm only staying with them because they're energy savers.

[regnaD kciN]

35. In a year or so, you'll notice a big difference...

During that time, the paint on the incandescent bulbs will start to fade and, unless they replace the bulbs, will look more white-with-pastel-tint. Since the color from LEDs comes from the plastic "bulb-shaped" cover, in which the dye is molded into the cover itself instead of being painted on, they will keep their coloring forever.

In my neighborhood, you can really tell that a lot of incandescent set owners haven't replaced their bulbs -- their displays are looking washed-out, while the LED displays are much more color-saturated. Of course, if you just want all-white lights, incandescents still can't be beat.

[HillbillyBob]

15. There are 60 watt equivalents but they are expensive

I looked at some on line, I forget exact prices but from 70 to over 100.
On the other hand I found some at Sams club 2 bulbs for 15$ they use 3.5 watts and give about 40 watts, most of the fixtures here take multiples, the dining chandelier takes 5 bulbs so I get about 200 watts for 17 watts. Home depot carries some but they are about 70$ ea.
We have been buying some every payday. They look strange at first, but my partner has cataracts and can see by the slightly blue light.
We have about 50 lights in this place and so far have replace about 15 so far, including the outside floods, they don't light it up like a ball field, but its enough to see the dogs in the yard and they work with the motion sensors.
They have floods, 2 different bulbs for E26 standard light socket and candelabra type c7 that fit chandeliers and night lights.
I bought some of the solar powered blue string and less bright than the neighbors..I don't care they are on my bill or rather they arent the sun charges the battery.Warm white bulbs will be dimmer but closer in color to incandescent the cool whites are a bit brighter.
There are also 2 and 4 foot flouro tube replacements too now, you take the ballast out and wire the tombstones directly to the power wires.
Another thing to keep in minds is that for now at least LEDs tend to be directional, which makes them great over the sink and counter/island in the kitchen.
As for the traffic lights killing someone, nonsense,that is the drivers carelessness. they have them around here and yes they do collect ice, but you can still see the color.

[Deja Q]

16. Made with cheap-ass cabling so it's overpriced wasteful garbage.

Make the effin' holiday lights with proper cabling or else it's just another g.d. joke. I've seen a few in stores. Make 'em good or just stick with the incandescent bulbs as those use less plastic, cost less, and will break down just as quickly too.

For TVs and laptop screens and others, good stuff.

[Roland99]

22. There's a house near me with lots of them. I don't like it so much.

The colors look too crisp and cool, not warm like typical Christmas lights.

[Xithras]

42. Same here. I'll stick to the old style.

The problem is that LED's emit light in a very limited spectrum, which makes the light appear cold and harsh to many people. They have their uses, but my Christmas tree isn't one of them.

[athena]

43. I agree. The only solution for Christmas trees is candles.

I went back to candles five years ago after realizing that incandescent lights just don't look as warm and traditional as old-fashioned candles. You get more light that way, too (once the tree catches fire).

[dana_b]

50. oh my

you smart ass.. :evilgrin:

[janx]

63. Agreed! My brother talked me into buying some a couple of

years ago, and the white ones I bought looked gray or blue. I do love the technology for regular light bulbs though.

[dysfunctional press]

49. i prefer the look of the led light strings.

i tossed all the old incandescents and italian lights.

[alfredo]

27. I have red and blue LED's outside. If they were more powerful, I guess I could

enlist them to add light to my jade trees and and cactus.

[NashVegas]

32. A Concert Series Here Used LED To Light a Stage

And it took less than 10% energy than what traditional stage lighting have.

[MidwestRick]

38. Many retailers

are starting to use LED's inside their illuminated signs as opposed to the old neon tubes. This is something that has been changing over the last 5 years though, so nothing new there.

[Dappleganger]

40. Waiting for the after-xmas sales this year...

hopefully we can find some good buys on some. Many of our neighbors put them up and they look very nice!

[midnight armadillo]

45. I have 4 incandescents

3 are in closets where the light is on for such a short time the type of bulb is irrelevant. The 4th is outside the front door on a motion sensor where a CFL takes waaaaay too long to brighten up in cold weather. That's it.

As my collection of CFLs wear out I will replace with LEDs as I go. Some of my bulbs are over 6 years old and have been in 2 apartments and now our house.

I'm also waiting for light fixture design to catch up with the possibilities offered by LEDs.

[dana_b]

51. I have strings

that I know are at least 15 years old and they work well. I will replace them this year because I'm afraid they'll cause problems (don't need a fire) and I like the idea of using less energy. Although I have to say I'm not so hot on the look. Too bright for me but I am in the minority I see.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

60. Most of my tree has the LED's

A couple of strings of white and a couple strings of multi-colored. They are (to me) bright, vivid, cold. I added one long string of old incandescent white bulbs and it made the whole thing seem warmer, not as stark.

edit to remove an unrelated rant about my dislike of LED signs.
:hi:

[dana_b]

61. warm and energy draining

sigh...

[upstandingcitizens]

56. Lowes

just got a whole line of new fixtures in last month. They're pricey right now but since LED's run so heap last damn near forever they'll pay for themselves in no time.

[GreenStormCloud]

46. Last year, during the after Christmas sales I bought bunches of LED lights.

I love them. We replaced all of our other Christmas lights. Gave the old ones to a thrift store. The LED whites are brilliant white, instead of yellowish. The other colors are brilliant too. And they take so much less electricity.

As soon as they are practical for home use we will replace all of our CFs with them.

[upstandingcitizens]

55. Black Friday sales here

we picked ours up that Friday when they were half price. I needed new lights since I got a new place this year. The blues are BLUE. Momma and I are giddy over them.

[4dsc]

52. Not at these costs..

While adoption of LED technology by consumers is increasing at a rapid pace, the number one barrier to broad and immediate adaptation is the high up-front cost of the bulbs. The Lemnis 60-watt replacement costs about $50 and a 40-watt replacement from Osram Sylvania costs about $35.


I'll never buy a bulb for this much..

[upstandingcitizens]

54. Computers

used to cost 2-4000 bucks too. I remember the awesome power of the 286. It only cost $2400. RAM was $100 a MB. Point is as time goes by and more people buy those $35 bulbs the price will come down with the demand. There will be a demand because you'll be able to run one of your lights for literally pennies a month compared to the several dollars it costs now.

[janx]

62. Without a doubt!

A student of mine recently wrote a research paper on LED light bulb technology. The most amazing thing is the quality of the light.