Doobying a cheap LED floodlight with lux/efficiency readings

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Doobying a cheap LED floodlight with lux/efficiency readings

Рет қаралды 85,096

3 жыл бұрын

This video is a continuation of an experiment that happened during a live stream on the BigCliveLive channel:-
/ @bigclivelive
During the stream I hooked capacitors in series with a cheap sealed 10W LED floodlight that is almost certainly baking its LEDs. This reduces intensity, but multiplies its lifespan significantly.
This time I used a light meter to get an indication of how the intensity changed with current, and got a rough approximation of "lux per watt" at a height of 300mm (12") from the front of the light. This was not an ideal testing scenario and is just for comparison on intensity.
One of the most notable things was how the efficiency dropped as the light heated up when running at full power. LEDs are less efficient at higher currents and when they are hot, so modern lights are not only designed to fail fast for profit reasons, but also perform badly as they do so.
Here are the results.
Full power cold 10.7W, 3010 lux, 281 lux per watt.
Full power hot 10.7W, 2800 lux, 261 lux per watt.
1uf, 3.8W, 1460 lux, 384 lux per watt. (Capacitor voltage drop 62V)
470nf, 1.9W, 840 lux, 442 lux per watt.
330nf, 1.5W, 640 lux, 426 lux per watt.
220nf, 1W, 450 lux, 450 lux per watt.
100nf, 0.5W (estimated), 210 lux, 420 lux per watt. (Capacitor voltage drop 90V)
47nf, 0.2W (estimated), 90 lux, 450 lux per watt.
22nf, 0.1W (estimated), 30 lux, 300 lux per watt.
At the lower levels the light's internal leakage shunt resistor would be affecting efficiency.
Even at reduced intensity the light output from a basic 10W light was very good. Useful for ambient or security lighting. At 2W and below it becomes viable to use it as a simple 24/7 light source.
It would have been nice to open this light, but it is glued shut with heat resistant silicone type adhesive. Previous attempts to open this style of construction have resulted in the glass breaking.
Some lights like this may contain an active buck regulator and will possibly strobe at lower power. But most seem to use the cheap linear regulators.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.co...
This also keeps the channel independent of KZfaq's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

Пікірлер: 668

@tappel0 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, I'm tempted to buy several of those and mod them all to run at lower level. The fact that the 3.8W was half as bright as 10.7W (and the full power was even worse when warmed up) was really eye-opening. I could just buy twice as many and mod them all, get the same amount of light with much longer lifespan.

@denisohbrien 3 жыл бұрын

+1 .. and with multiple lights the coverage will be nicer.

@gordonlawrence1448 3 жыл бұрын

Big Clive has done another vid on exactly this effect )or maybe more than one). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/odKRfdSgy6nXpWg.html is definitely worth watching.

@phils4634 3 жыл бұрын

Years ago when I first discovered this channel, BC was demonstrating how reducing the value of the cap. in a dropper circuit for LEDs was a good way of improving reliability / durability. Promptly went out, bought caps to replace the higher value caps in our outdoor floodlights (that were lasting 18 months tops), and we've had zero failures since. Even a modest reduction really helps with durability, with very little effect on light output.

@bluerizlagirl 3 жыл бұрын

@@phils4634 From the lamp manufacturer's point of view, longevity is not always a good thing -- you want to sell as many as possible. The lamps ideally have to last long enough for people not to think "Huh, I won't be buying those again!" and consciously choose a different brand, but go with the devil they know. Now, the laws of physics are a harsh mistress: if you drive LEDs hard, they may shine twice as bright, but not even for half as long. When that meets up with the laws of economics, it suits lamp manufacturers to buy cheap LEDs, work them hard and claim maximum brightness. Longer-lasting lamps with better quality components and/or more LEDs, each of which has less power going through it, will be more expensive -- but these ones are so much brighter! over-emphasisingghoulishwith

@phils4634 3 жыл бұрын

@@bluerizlagirl It was a case of "if I do this I wonder how much longer they will last", which in our case is a bit important since our ext. floods are a home for red back spiders, which you don't want to meet unexpectedly. Turns out that a very modest reduction in output (almost un-noticeable) has meant lights that failed after 12 - 18 months are now lasting well past 3 1/2 years, which is great news for us (since I used to "re-lamp" the bust ones with AliExpress LED arrays anyhow!)

@R_C420 3 жыл бұрын

I couldn't help but grin as you got within a centimeter of an accidental ElectroBOOM.

@davidareader 3 жыл бұрын

This gives me the idea that putting a capacitor and a PIR switch in parallel would make a nice "always on" security light .. low level illumination most of the time, but full brightness when the PIR detector is triggered...

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

You can get some strip lights that do that.

@ZeedijkMike 3 жыл бұрын

I just added that to my hall light. A fixed resistor across a FET controlled by the PIR. This is a 12V LED strip for clarity.

@samuelfellows6923 3 жыл бұрын

They do that for the LED lights on train stations - each unit has a PIR/microwave sensor = low level light when passengers are sitting on bench’s/not moving away from the lights, full brightness when passengers walk under light units and when a train passes/stops

@IDoNotLikeHandlesOnYT 3 жыл бұрын

You can buy outdoor motion lights now that come with that feature. (Not saying you _should_ do that instead of implementing it yourself if you want to, but it's an option.)

@KarlHamilton 3 жыл бұрын

@@IDoNotLikeHandlesOnYT link pls

@electronbeam 3 жыл бұрын

There is a man named Big Clive, who would occasionally stream live. He lives on the Isle of Man, of which there is many a fan. His favourite colour is pink, except when it comes to the kitchen sink. There is a man named Big Clive.

@markedis5902 3 жыл бұрын

Hi @bigclivedotcom When I worked for a subcontractor to Philips lighting commissioning lighting control systems, we had to get new light meters specifically to measure LED lighting. Normal (cheap) light meters are designed to measure the output of tri-phosphor fluorescent and tungsten fittings. The really old light meters that work without batteries are tuned for halophosphate. Should you need accurate measurements of LED fittings a reasonably priced option is the ‘Tenmars 201’ at around £80. If you need to measure coloured LEDs the ‘Tenmars 209M’ is about £150. Most of the other LED specific lux meters would leave a dent in your bank balance the size of a small country.

@PaulSteMarie 3 жыл бұрын

Clive searches for something to short cap. Clive completely misses the wire jumper he just took out of the Wago 😆

@LTDunltd 3 жыл бұрын

😂I was thinking the same thing.

@snakezdewiggle6084 3 жыл бұрын

Give Clive a break. It takes a lot of 'radium' to be perfect all the time !

@EddSjo 3 жыл бұрын

Deffinitely safer to use a screwdriver instead of that short little piece of wire.

@AAAyyyGGG 3 жыл бұрын

It's an engineer's way of doing things: don't use something close by, reach for the most distant and difficult-to-get one!

@bigsky1970 3 жыл бұрын

@@EddSjo Yeah, even something like a rubber handle screwdriver would insulate the user from any shock.

@christastic100 3 жыл бұрын

That’s very interesting, I imagine you could buy the 30 watt version and adapt it in a similar way but get a similar light output to the 10 watt. It would probably rot off the wall before it failed 😄 Absolutely love these experiments especially with rainbow 🌈 connectors

@Shaun.Stephens 3 жыл бұрын

I would have liked to see this lamp run with a 2.2uF capacitor (and maybe any others between that and the 1uF Clive started with) to see how linear the relationship between capacitance and wattage is. More data is better right? I have a 50W lamp of this type that I'd like to drop to around 20W but the cost of the (at least 400V) capacitor to do that is probably prohibitive.

@felixhirt9284 3 жыл бұрын

@@Shaun.Stephens yeah, clive really gave me an idea there. really good to know :-D e.g. using these lights as backlight-illumination for self-made signs. But the capacitors... they aren't *that* expensive? eg. Reichelt sells 2u2 X2-class foil capacitor for around 1€ each? larger (and also, cheaper quality ones) are available..

@PsiQ 3 жыл бұрын

@@Shaun.Stephens if you have 250V caps available remember you can also use them in a row, halfing the capacity If i remember correctly... for two of the same it comes out for 0.5 the single capacity... 1/CapTotal = (1/470nF) + (1/470nF) = (2/470nF) => inverse (470nF/2) = CapTotal = 235nF for more theres calculations...) But you should measure and pair identical capacity ones.

@wasteoink8376 3 жыл бұрын

Usually the 30watt varieties have the same number of LEDs so efficiency won't be better if that is true. Its very common they drive the LEDs harder and prey they don't die too quickly

@diamondfailer11 3 жыл бұрын

@@wasteoink8376 Well, the end-user prays they don't die too quickly. They, the manufacturers, want it to die ASAP so you buy a new one!

@stridermt2k 3 жыл бұрын

One day we'll find it: The rainbow connector...

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

It just needs that elusive violet position.

@theSnowpup 3 жыл бұрын

The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

@SBCBears 3 жыл бұрын

@@theSnowpup Thank you. I couldn't remember and it was really bugging me. 😄

@johnmorgan1629 3 жыл бұрын

Don't you mean the pride connector!? Also, if you had a connector with more positions, you'd probably get that.

@sillyentz 3 жыл бұрын

Why are there so many songs about wagos and what's on the other side?

@KingOfHalls 3 жыл бұрын

We need to have dooby lamp technology everywhere, it will definitely help the environment

@fish9468 3 жыл бұрын

We do in the grow light industry. Check out migro and chilled. I’m working on a design that uses cheapo leds instead of high end ones rn

@gordonlawrence1448 3 жыл бұрын

@@fish9468 If you get stuck with high efficiency long life SMPSU's let me know. I have designed a fair few professionally.

@Stevo_1998 3 жыл бұрын

yeah, but then the big companies that make these lights can only sell you them half as often if they make them last twice as long so naturally, they make them super bright and 'energy efficient', with the downside that you have to buy a new bulb every 2-3 years (or however long they last)

@fish9468 3 жыл бұрын

@@Stevo_1998 Dubai lamps are dim and efficient and last forever

@Stevo_1998 3 жыл бұрын

@@fish9468 aaaaaaaaaaand you can only get them in Dubai They only exist cause the leader-human decided to make a law or whatever that required the bulbs to be /actually/ energy efficient and to basically last forever, and the companies that make them don't sell them outside Dubai because they'd lose money on a bulb that basically lasts forever.

@whitcwa 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video, Clive. I hope everyone appreciates the lack of commercialism and self promotion in your videos. It is refreshing and caused me to sign up on your Patreon page. I encourage everyone to do the same.

@westinthewest 3 жыл бұрын

I think we should follow Clive's example by limiting the involvement of money as far as possible.

@KarlHamilton 3 жыл бұрын

If too many people join his Patreon he'll end up fucking off to the Bahamas.

@phils4634 3 жыл бұрын

@@KarlHamilton Don't think so - I'm mindful that BC prefers a far cooler climate (he seems to think a winter room temp. of 8C is perfectly adequate!)!

@andruloni 3 жыл бұрын

@UCGy3Gwiay9vhuStnfKyHSJw He'll fuck off too close to Santa's warehouse and take apart all the toys

@stridermt2k 3 жыл бұрын

I like a tear down, but mods are special. Thanks man!

@brunocat4402 3 жыл бұрын

Very sneaky Clive, switching to the no-flicker Hopi while we were distracted!

@Boosted1981 3 жыл бұрын

What makes his Videos special...no Outro, no goodbye, just some more chit chat and Video has ended...gotta love it. 😁 Of course not to forget the Puns (intended or not sometimes)!

@whitcwa 3 жыл бұрын

No begging for us to subscribe. We already are!

@Boosted1981 3 жыл бұрын

@@whitcwa Who isnt?! 😅

@Corkoth55 3 жыл бұрын

@@Boosted1981 I'm not even electrically savvy and I've been subscribed for years! It's just too interesting!

@Boosted1981 3 жыл бұрын

@@Corkoth55 same for me 😄

@Shaun.Stephens 3 жыл бұрын

I completely agree. I'm getting increasingly annoyed at intros and outros in youtube videos which have the sole purpose of wasting my time and lining the pockets of the creator.

@nelsondog100 3 жыл бұрын

I really like these hack videos. I finally feel ‘we’ have a small helping hand in retaining a portion of our hard earned money and keeping a product for a little longer than the company selling them would expect. As a bonus, we’re saving a drop of electricity at as a byproduct. Thanks for all you do BigClive😊

@diegopicadidot8948 3 жыл бұрын

I find this video extremely useful. Just saw another by Technology Connections defending the ubiquitous use of the heat pump. The efficient home is now within reach!

@blackdatto 3 жыл бұрын

It’s great to see that everyone is included with that connector.

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

Except the missing purple one at the end.

@TechGorilla1987 3 жыл бұрын

Those connectors are the most ferocious (complete with trilled "r"s) snap of a connector that I have ever heard.

@Averna222 3 жыл бұрын

I thought the same, gave me a little startle the first time he closed one.

@plainedgedsaw1694 3 жыл бұрын

It seems his mic loves exaggerating such sounds, his snips got crazy bass response.

@kiefac 3 жыл бұрын

I wasn't completely paying attention the first time and thought he shorted something lmao

3 жыл бұрын

Let me tell you my, albeit delicate, fingers do NOT like getting stuck beneath when the arms snap down! It HURTS.

@IncertusetNescio 3 жыл бұрын

I need to get some wago or fake connectors to make my hobby life a bit easier. breaking out the iron every time for small stuff is a bit of a pain and hazard. As for the lights. I've had my e-bay chinese special porch lights burn out on me (guess which LED type they were) and replaced them with flip-chip COB units of the driverless and drivered types and haven't had a failure since. If they burn out again I may put a capacitor in-line like here, or I'll try that for a new project of a high wattage and under-run them to the desired level. Seems like a sound idea for some types of light for sure.

@angusmclean4783 3 жыл бұрын

A non flickery HOPI under the 1uF dropper? Not sure I am ready for this.

@casemodder89 3 жыл бұрын

Now as we know it we might like it all the time 😛

@richardmccauley3617 3 жыл бұрын

I make LED lights for a living. By reducing the current to each LED and therefore the junction temperature of the LEDs when running you can vastly increase the lifetime of the leds and I've been producing LED lights with close to 200lumen per watt efficiency since 2014 and have a independent lab test on a custom light I made for a pharmaceutical company that has a projected lifetime of 511,000hrs. However not all LEDs will increase the same in efficiency if you under drive them, depends on packaging of the die and the original die used. But they'll all increase in lifetime. If you want to buy really cheap LED fixtures do this to make them more reliable. Great video Clive.

@treborrrrr 3 жыл бұрын

Idea for next build video, a board with a set of caps and switches to bring them in and out of circuit to quickly and easily do these types of tests?

@sootikins 3 жыл бұрын

You just described a capacitor substitution box. They exist commercially but probably not with the needed 400V rated caps. So a DIY high voltage version does make sense.

@davenorth1265 3 жыл бұрын

This video is excellent. Incredibly interesting well done Clive.

@K-o-R 3 жыл бұрын

I see a market for an in-line connector containing the gubbins. It'd be great in a light bulb socket extender or a plug-through 13a connector.

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

These lights have to be terminated into a junction box anyway, so the cap could be tucked in there (at the top to avoid pooled water.)

@The1Rausch 3 жыл бұрын

now who is going to get an estimation on production cost in china ? im in.

@joshuanelson5092 3 жыл бұрын

@@bigclivedotcom I mean if we’re modifying the circuit, why not put the cap in the fixture. It should be Nema 3R (I don’t know Your equivalent)or better anyways for outdoor use. Better than in a junction box that may or may not be moisture tight.

@K-o-R 3 жыл бұрын

@@bigclivedotcom Could you fit the cap inside a ceiling rose connector? Couple of Wagos should do it. What type of capacitor is that, and should there be a chunky resistor in parallel with it?

@Seegalgalguntijak 3 жыл бұрын

2µF or 3µF would be more interesting. Drop the ~11W down to about 7, just enough so that the LEDs aren't overdriven any more, but still put out 90% of their light...

@CyberlightFG 3 жыл бұрын

Change the current sense resistors. More accurate, no need for a capacitor outside of the case. If there is a capacitor inside the lamp, replace it with a smaller one.

@stanimir4197 3 жыл бұрын

@@CyberlightFG Oddly enough almost all circuits have 2x RSense in parallel, desolder one and it's usually enough to reduce the current down to the LEDs not to be overdriven.

@nevenpavlovic4448 Жыл бұрын

@@stanimir4197What do you think is a more power efficient approach - modifying with a capacitor or destroying/replacing a resistor?

@stanimir4197 Жыл бұрын

@@nevenpavlovic4448 capacitor is definitely not. The capacitor dropper changes the power factor on its right own, and the energy is actually dropped on the resistors, so there are less losses on the resistor part alone.

@TheSpotify95 7 ай бұрын

Really nice comparison, and this confirms exactly my thoughts: out of the box, these floodlights absolutely grill the LEDs to high heaven. We've had a number of these spotlights fail in quick succession when using them as outdoor spotlights, powered by the output of a photocell (for dusk till dawn operation). I personally reckon that trying to get an ex-council streetlight from the metal halide or fluorescent era would work wonders as a spot/driveway light etc and would blow the socks off one of these spots in terms of lifespan. I would personally go with: 220nF for general illumination (e.g. as a night light or similar) 470nF for use as a desk light/work light or similar (using multiple if needed to boost intensity) 1uF for use as an outdoor spotlight (even at 1uF it will last way longer than without a capacitor at all).

@kreynolds1123 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video and taking the time to quantify the lumen efficency. Here is an idea. Make a light socket that plugs into another light socket with specific series current limiting capacitors. Or, add the ability to switch which capacitors is used. then sell on Ebay and Amazon.

@SigEpBlue 3 жыл бұрын

It would be interesting to see the effect of 2.2, 3.3, and 4.7 µF capacitances too, to know where there's a negligible difference. Also, note to future EEs: if the meter says 0.000, don't guess what the reading is. Please.

@wino99999 3 жыл бұрын

At one point the meter indicated 0.502 watts

@Shaun.Stephens 3 жыл бұрын

Extrapolation isn't guessing though....

@HasanProd 3 жыл бұрын

yeah thats what i was thinking, if i could get my bulbs down to roughly 90% (undermining the over drive) that would be great, getting most of the light while extending the life and increasing the energy

@blackdatto 3 жыл бұрын

About five years ago I converted some light fittings to use integrated LED / power supply modules despite having a huge heatsink I kepkept popping modules every now and then by simply adding a Cap I fixed the problem. line voltage was about 245 not the 220 as specified on the board perhaps that was the issue, was easy fixed with a cap. I was inspired to try this by Clive‘s capacitive dropper videos. Many thanks mate!

@orphanpixels 3 жыл бұрын

Handy little project this. Doobied a set of super cheap 100w LEDs (4 for £35) Modded with thermal tape between board and case. Upgraded the mains cable to the board as it wouldn't stay in the Rainbow Wago, and potting the Wago in a project box as they're now video lights.

@WolFv38 3 жыл бұрын

Love this channel. Is anyone else going to mention that this guy's diction is just impecable? He could narrate anything and I could listen to it all day.

@Fanta.... 3 жыл бұрын

thats what we all fell in love with. the tech stuff is just the icing on the cake.

@Smidge204 3 жыл бұрын

I have that same cheap Lux meter. True story: I took it apart (as you do) and there's a foil RF shield sticker thing on the inside, into which someone had scratched something in Chinese. Consulting some friends who know the language, it translated roughly to "stinky manager" - obviously the work of an unhappy factory worker.

@robinbrowne5419 3 жыл бұрын

A very interesting experiment. Someone should sell an adapter socket with built-in capacitor to increase the life of LED bulbs. I am pretty sure that most of them are designed to fry themselves into LED lamp heaven.

@ryanroberts1104 3 жыл бұрын

I really like this information. I'm trying to install a bunch of LED shop lighting, but I want super high efficiency and long lifespans. This is a perfect way to go about that, if I can double the efficiency I can save as much as a full kilowatt while all the lights are running! That's over a dollar saved in every normal work day with the lights on!

@DocCool 3 жыл бұрын

3:31 I felt like in a Eltecro Boom Video. You barely missed the 246V in your hand when you writing! Please be careful! We need you to make more videos!

@MyProjectBoxChannel 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely worth doing on a LED floodlight 😉. Make them last. Long live the capacitor dropper circuit!

@wasteoink8376 3 жыл бұрын

Practically running the LEDs between 30-15mA gives us the best efficiency and apparently longer life. Thanks big Clive you are one of these KZfaq dinosaurs that make it still worth

@channelsixtysix066 3 жыл бұрын

Very good, Clive. Quite a substantial drop in power and heat, without much loss in luminance. Pity you didn't have a 680nF on hand and try that.

@ram50v8 3 жыл бұрын

And here I was just contemplating on how to make my new business sign LED lamps last longer before installing them. Me thinks it is time for an experiment on the 100 watt LED floods

@Hidyman 3 жыл бұрын

I remember the Bulb Boss that you would put between a screw base bulb and the socket (it was a little disk) and it would ramp up the power to the (incandescent) light and supposedly prolong the life of the filament. I think they also has one that would let you flick the switch to dim the light.

@johnmorgan1629 3 жыл бұрын

Lux like your on to a winner here Clive. On a more serious note, would be good to see a temperature performance on something like this in future. For those of us who have a short drive in front of the house, a string of these would be good permanently lit, with the newer LED street lights. As unlike the older discharge lighting, they do not throw enough light to see too well off the main area of light. Or even a few of these would keep the garden lit and still not use as much electricity as the old spotlights.

@ensignphil 3 жыл бұрын

I don't trust videos realeased on 1st April but I feel safe with Big Clive.

@glenmcgillivray4707 3 жыл бұрын

The Joke here is the 'lifespan' quoted on the packaging of these LED products. Although I still wonder how to mod LED strips running DC current for longer lifespan. MORE TESTABLE HYPOTHESI NEEDED! And for the Final experiment. Functional RGB (AC and DC feeds) with eternal lifespans, and still correct behavior by remote.

@MikeWmusic10 3 жыл бұрын

Assuming no change in distribution and constant distance between luxmeter and the DUT (luminaire) whilst changing power level, you are effectively measuring the lumen output. Generally speaking, power consumption will drop by a few % once driver circuitry temperature has stabilised and lumen output will drop as the diodes increase in temperature.

@foxtrot825 3 жыл бұрын

I'd love to see more capacitance across the LED string to reduce the flicker and maybe improve the power factor. That said I love a good under driven lamp.

@maciej1387 3 жыл бұрын

It's simple idea similar to " Dubai lamp". They run much cooler and are much efficient and last longer. If you want more light just buy more lamps.... Crazy but works.

@gerbilmajor 3 жыл бұрын

Clive - The LEDs like being cool and do get more efficient the cooler they are, but there gets to a point where this effects stops and some LED will get less efficient if the get too cold. Can I suggest you build yourself a small integrating sphere / box for light measurement. The sphere / box should have holes opposite each other (one for the light and one for the detector) with a baffle to stop direct light from the light source hitting the detector. I would recommend the size of the sphere / box be approximetley 5 times the longest distance of the light source. I.e. Light source 100x100m - sphere/box size 500x500mm

@raykent3211 3 жыл бұрын

Dear Clive, keep in mind that the general public don't have soldering irons. You can do your bit to save the planet by teaming up with a company that simply puts a capacitor in an adaptor. "Plug your led work light in via this adaptor and it will save energy and last 30 times as long". Thanks for the experiment. Btw the lumen is a measure of total light output, which can't be achieved by sampling one part of space (there ain't much light round the back of this one, but there is in others) whereas the lux is a mesure of intensity in a chosen region. So a meter plonked in a particular position can only report lux, not lumens. So a rating in lumens is great for an omniradiant dangling bulb, but nigh on useless for a spotlight.

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

This demonstration didn't require a soldering iron.

@stuartmcconnachie 3 жыл бұрын

7:21 Very briefly HOPI measures 502mW.

@CyberlightFG 3 жыл бұрын

There is a Hopi available, that measures below 0.5W. This is the high power version.

@dolanbaker 3 жыл бұрын

Great business opportunity there, dooby-daptors to connect between the LED lamp and the lamp holder.

@andyjdhurley 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Clive! It's actually prompted me to order some capacitors for the 2 new floodlights I just got for the shed. They only came in 100w versions which is overkill for my needs so putting some of these inline is a no-brainer. I have already got some spacious IP66 rated junction boxes so they should fit in there just fine and the lights should now last beyond my lifetime.

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what level of capacitance would be required for 100W lights. They will also have to be the simple COB based lights without a separate driver.

@pilgrimparishescontingency351 3 жыл бұрын

@@bigclivedotcom quite right. I had thought the lens section could not be removed without destroying the seal but it turns out it can be and what I find is an array of 105 LEDs on a white board so it's hard to trace the tracks. I THINK they are grouped into 5 blocks with each block having 3p and 7s. There are also 8 constant current drivers so no hope of using an external capacitor this time. There are 8 driver chips (CYT1000A, each of which has 2 drivers), I am also thinking the 5 blocks are in series which means 3p 21s in total so perhaps the drivers are all in parallel and they have a rating of 5-60mA so if all are in parallel that gives 80-960mA. Somewhere in the middle would give the rated 100W (at 240v) so I guess that makes sense. I guess I could change all the surface mount resistors but I don't fancy doing that.

@AAAyyyGGG 3 жыл бұрын

All this talk about dooby lamps reminds me of my childhood fav: "Scooby dooby doo, where are you?" 😄

@amorphuc 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Thanks Big Clive. So you get a little less light but the efficiency goes way up as well as the lifespan. Manufacturers should make that an option. It could even be a sales gimmick.

@g8xft 10 ай бұрын

Very illuminating - thanks Clive

@Broxie 3 жыл бұрын

I missed the live stream. I recently bought 3 of these lamps as they were sooo cheap! I have two clamped to my monitor, providing some desk illumination. The 3rd I was going to tear down or keep handy just in case one of the others fail. Seeing the results of your test I think I will be making up a little switch box to provide a a few output levels. Great video and perfect choice of light to test it on. Maybe you had sight of my shopping cart on CPC! ;)

@dionamuh 3 жыл бұрын

A while ago I bought a similar cheap LED floodlight without cable/plug, and attached the cable/plug to it myself. I felt like a real Big Clive.

@JonnyMudMower 3 жыл бұрын

Bought a case of Budweiser on the way home from the city and they are giving away cheap little solar battery packs model bmp-j342a 👍🏻scores lol,,, you’ve inspired me to disassemble everything I can get my hands on lately.

@Hidyman 3 жыл бұрын

Every time you short a cap it is blowing little chunks of metal off of the cutting edge of your scissors.

@Fanta.... 3 жыл бұрын

we will rebuild.

@kthwkr 3 жыл бұрын

I think the problem with using smaller capacitors to extend the life of the LEDs is that high speed voltage spikes from lightning and other sources can still get through. Whereas a resistor would provide a greater impedance even for very short pulses. Perhaps a combination of capacitance and resistance.

@ecash00 3 жыл бұрын

What I think would be very interesting, is comparing Head lights from cars. They put out so much Light for being 12 volt, and Last along time. Being able to convert a few Lights in home to 12 volt, with a Special attachment, to add a little dimming, Wouild make these a HUGE business.

@lostjohnny9000 3 жыл бұрын

Next mod idea: which inductors and capacitors will correct the power factor.

@groovejet33 3 жыл бұрын

Clive, we fitted a load of LAP 20W led pir outdoor lights. After 3_4 ,months they failed. Soooooooo??......The manufacturer knew about the fault! The cable restraint nut that grips cable entering unit was acting like capillary action, when it rained. Water dropped on cable and ran into unit .....Then .......FUBAR😋 . If it wasn't for that fault the lights wudda been great

@utakatikmobil 3 жыл бұрын

this is incredible. didn't know you can do this on "AC LED". i did some testing too albeit in simpler scale with 12V DC led bars (white and red). i hooked em to my bike and powered it with a USB powerbank and DC step-up converter which you can set from say 9V to 13V. i had to let it run at around 10.8V to achieve acceptable brightness, heat level and battery consumption. if i set it to 12.0V (which it is rated) not only it is so hot but it also drains the battery quickly (more watt consumed).

@crazygeorgelincoln 3 жыл бұрын

Liking this method for bathroom bulkhead light. I will see what the client thinks.

@DrHarryT 3 жыл бұрын

If the sole intention is to promote lamp longevity the pulling it back to 8 or 9 watts would go a long way without sacrificing too much intensity. If you want to maintain the intensity yet prolong the life, then engineer some form of additional heatsink. It would be great if those were 1W chips and they are driving them at .71W, bad if they are .5W chips and they are overdriving them already.

@MazeFrame 3 жыл бұрын

This gives me an idea... Have lights like this run on the 47nF caps as "navigation lights" and throw in 220nF via relay for actual light (maybe triggered via sensors or something).

@webluke 3 жыл бұрын

Would be interesting to see this at 120V. It looks like Clive has a product idea there, "LED Light Saver" just a box with a capacitor inside and 2 terminals, could pass Live, Neutral, and Ground though and make it seem like it does more. Of course, making it compliment to regulations, but I could see it selling to lower the brightness of LED floodlights around your house so there is a more consistent light, or just saying it will save energy/money/green bs.

@lostjohnny9000 3 жыл бұрын

Great video and an awesome hack. Might try this on my CCTV IR camera illumination which runs a bit warm. In complete darkness you don't need much light as long as camera is sensitive enough. Should be good for those cheapy grow lamps too.

@Cassandra_Johnson 3 жыл бұрын

Running temperature might also be interesting.

@Chrisamic 3 жыл бұрын

Stone cold once you stop grilling the LEDs. The minimal heatsinking they use on this stuff is just fine for all purposes below the over optimistic factory specs. The best balance is around 220 nano Farts, which is probably the best compromise between heating the LEDs or the capacitor while still giving the most light.

@987kestrel 3 жыл бұрын

Should make an adapter that plugs inline with a LED light to do this. Have it plug into the wall like a standard 3 prong adapter, but it has a capacitor built into it.

@javaking1000 3 жыл бұрын

I like this idea but also add a selector switch with multiple capacitors to add a dimming feature.

@chemistgonerogue1690 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, as always, hooowever...you should really try Julian Ilett's trick and open up the hoppi meter and cover the displays in red electrical tape , thus getting rid of the flicker. Not sure if it'd help, but with persistancy of vision and all that it just might. New video idea maybe

@ableite 3 жыл бұрын

Im buying these caps to protect my floodlights right now!! The luxmeter gave nice numeric information for this video.

@MartinE63 3 жыл бұрын

The Hopi display is no longer flickering when the lamp under test is the sole source of illumination

@crimsonhalo13 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Clive, if you permanently incorporate the 100nf cap, you'll have a modern version of that light bulb that's been lit for over 100 years. Maybe we can put it on the other side of the same fire hall?

@plainedgedsaw1694 3 жыл бұрын

I guess solder joint or voltage spike damage to doobing cap related issues will kill it sooner or later.

@ShinyPeeko 3 жыл бұрын

I'd like to see some larger caps and on different COBs to see what the best light efficiency you can get is if you need to say light an outdoor area

@bluerizlagirl 3 жыл бұрын

These would be very good as low-level path lights, with series capacitors selected to suit the distance between them so as not to leave any dark spots. Alternatively, if you had some of these lights wired to a PIR sensor, you could wire a capacitor across the relay contacts so as to give constant low-level illumination which would go full brightness whenever something warm (you, your car, a visitor welcome or otherwise, passing vehicles, one of the neighbourhood moggies .....) moved within the sensor's field of view. The lamps would only be on full power for a few minutes at a time, so should still last a few years.

@unclemarksdiyauto 3 жыл бұрын

Clive, I thought at least I would hear you hum "Listen to the music", then I saw it was spelled differently! Lol!

@davidthompson5646 3 жыл бұрын

I use two 240v dimmable, filament LED lamps in series - with incredible results ! They give a decent light and should last (nearly) forever 😁

@tazz1669 3 жыл бұрын

Looks like if you require the output of a 10 watt lamp buy a 20 watt and stick a 1uF capacitor in and get a lamp that will last way longer for probably less than the 10 watt as the LEDs will run more efficiently. Win win all round

@CyberlightFG 3 жыл бұрын

The very cheap led lamps are still junk. Buy a good one and dim it down. That would be worth the effort.

@tazz1669 3 жыл бұрын

@@CyberlightFG CPC sells decent stuff, UK company so you know it's UK compliant, I wouldn't chance buying 240 volt stuff from the usual suspects.

@BobMuir100 3 жыл бұрын

Very much enjoyed that Clive me ol mate! ‘..Expected..’ yes but maybe less so to us rookies!? Bob England

@adamt3800 3 жыл бұрын

Great I've installed 10s of the 100 watt versions I thought they were quite good.

@LightSoySauce 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Clive, Can you make a video just discussing these types of capacitors, the ratings and the safety aspects of using them. Also a non wago block way of wiring these in series with a lamp fitting Thank you ! ps. and how do these capacitors fail ?

@georgemaragos2378 3 жыл бұрын

Hi , i am showing my age but when i was young and getting ready for marriage i was told to buy local made and quality , a example was white goods - fridges and washing machines with a average life of 15-20 years and 20-30 was common Fast forward to today and have a look around, i understand there is more tech in items and things to go wrong , plus today's items are cheaper ( for tv's and electronics anyway ) but a entire 2 sets of generations have been bought up to buy something today and replace it next year

@peter.stimpel 3 жыл бұрын

nice one. Are there any downsides from putting a cap on those lights?

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

Not really. If the capacitor went short circuit the light would just light at full intensity, and if the light failed short circuit the capacitor would limit the current.

@peter.stimpel 3 жыл бұрын

@@bigclivedotcom cheers

@scalor 3 жыл бұрын

I use these LED floods as cheap aquarium lights, but the 20w ones I bought are causing algae problems. Your video might be the solution, clamp their power output to half.

@gregorythomas333 3 жыл бұрын

An excellent mod...thank you for posting this!

@borayurt66 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting experiment. I would attach the 330nF permanently and use it as a forever lamp for a porch etc....

@richardkaz2336 3 жыл бұрын

I've found that none on the LED lights have installed come remotely close to the manufacturer's claimed life expectancy. I have noticed that the bases have been too hot to handle if they are on for any longer than 30 min. I'll have to look at installing 1.0uF 400V 10% Axial Polyester Film Capacitor AE 104K400 inside some fire resistant heat shrink probably in the ceiling rose rather than inside the switch wall cavity and see how they last. The one problem is the switching ie the odd chance of turning on the light when the supply phane is 180deg with the cap's voltage is reverse polarity. So I suppose a 1-1.5M 1W resistor in parallel with the cap should elevate that issue.

@joshfriesen9401 3 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait for you to get one Million Subs!

@mrg2039 3 жыл бұрын

3:32 that was bloody close Clive!

@bigclivedotcom 3 жыл бұрын

I'm fully isolated from ground at the bench.

@4k8t 3 жыл бұрын

I read that 1 Lux represents 1 lumen / m² (square meter). Said that they were not really equivalent units.

@erikdenhouter 3 жыл бұрын

Strictly speaking: it is about the amount of LED's. When they use more LED's, the current would (or could) be lower per LED, and the floodlight would survive much longer. It is madness per device.

@alk3g 3 жыл бұрын

Sadly it seems a 2uF cap would have been good in this test

@JosepsGSX 3 жыл бұрын

I was connected the other day and this was quite an interesting experiment to perform live. Glad to see you fixed those inexplicable cracking and ripping noises that were affecting the stream every now and then, followed by general laughter. Oh my! I was about to ask a few questions back then but the chat speed was way too fast for my slow English. I am interested in doing this with sealed non-hackable bulbs (unfortunately not being as the ones you show in that brilliant previous video). The idea would be to place the hack just inside the holder, but I guess it would be unsafe to leave a capacitor live there by itself in case another person might have to manipulate it unknowingly in the future. what would be the recommended value and wattage of the resistor (or resistors, if it depends on the capacitor value)? How would a discharge resistor affect the wattages and/or luminances in this chart?

@arfyness 3 жыл бұрын

While writing a comment to ask if this will work on standard LED bulbs, I noticed your "diy dooby" video over on the side, so I think I'll just go watch that one and see what you find.

@jimmybrad156 3 жыл бұрын

had me a bit unnerved at 3:31 :) (safety-wise)

@myarchus1 3 жыл бұрын

@bigclivedotcom I'm curious, is there a rule of thumb for expected increased lifetime of an LED as a function of the decreased power? Is the relationship inversely linear (e.g. 1/2 power = 2x lifetime)? exponential (1/2 power = 4x lifetime)?

@mprebbz 3 жыл бұрын

I cringed when Clive without a care in the world went to write down the power measurement whilst nearly brushing against the exposed live 😱😱

@paulstubbs7678 3 жыл бұрын

10:23, notice Hopi no longer blinking - maybe Clive should use this config for when doing Hopi shots

@Kris_M 3 жыл бұрын

Perhaps use an extra digit on the lower wattages? The 3 digits lux/watt can be off a lot.

@DeeSnow97 3 жыл бұрын

Alright, this is amazing. Could this be turned into a product that you can just pick up wherever? If we had the capacitor, a discharge resistor, and some wire terminals nicely packaged, with a wattage rating stamped on it according to the current country's AC voltage and frequency, this could be super helpful. Just go buy a lamp twice as strong as you need, slap a limiter on it, and walk away with something that actually works.

@evaluateanalysis7974 3 жыл бұрын

If you buy something like this (especially from somewhere like ebay) it would be worth checking the output. You probably haven't got a lux-meter, but a standard multimeter can give a rough estimate. An averagely efficient 1500 lumen light will draw 12 to 15Watts. I bought a 1500 lumen 12volt bulb for my garage to run off a vehicle battery. I thought it was nowhere near bright enough, so I checked the current and it was about 0.4Amps or 400mA. That is under 5Watts! The light was 1/3 of the advertised power! I got a refund. All the 12V LED bulbs on ebay were being sold by what appeared to be UK based Chinese sellers. When I contacted a couple to ask whether they could guarantee the power of their bulbs before I bought, they said something like "We don't think our bulbs are suitable for your purpose. LOL! Edit: I have now bought some from a tool warehouse which were full power and no more expensive.