Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Help understand Lumens for Cree XR-E Q5 Emitter using a volt regulator?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




highroller
12-03-08, 03:57 PM
I'm thinking of buying a Cree XR-E Q5 Emitter on Premium Star which has about 228 lumens @ 1000mA and 3.7 volts. 3.7 volts @ 1000mA is 3.7 watts.

The torch I have is 3 watt, 6 volts @ 500 mA. If I use a volt regulator for step down a 6 volts @ 500mA how many lumens would it give? Would it be 114 lumens @ 500mA and produce only 1.85 watt?


ellerbro
12-03-08, 07:59 PM
LEDs are more efficient at lower currents. Also, the voltage will decrease at a lower current, so neither the lumens nor power will be exactly half compared to 1000 mA. Looking on the Cree datasheet it looks like you'll typically get 150 lumens when running a Q5 at 500 mA. The power will be about 1.7 watts (0.5 A x 3.45 V).

highroller
12-04-08, 12:00 AM
is there a cree which run on 6 watt @ 500mA?