News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by lucaspiller on Monday July 31, 2017 @04:20AM (#14890279)
It's not just cheap LEDs unfortunately. I bought some expensive recessed lights with Osram drivers (~€80/light), and even those flicker a little.
Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by Johnny_Brahms on Monday July 31, 2017 @07:37AM (#14891005)
I have a different experience. Osrams dont flicker (measured using the cheapo way: deferent types of cameras), whereas Philips LEDs do.

But otoh the osram ones have all failed or started blinking due to what I think is over heating.

Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by seanp2k2 on Monday July 31, 2017 @12:46PM (#14893603)
Yeah, adequate cooling is actually a big deal with LEDs, and the problem is compounded in cheap bulbs with minimal cooling and lower-quality components all around. These things are supposed to last decades. http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/print/volume-11/issue-7... talks about this with a specific focus on the fixture, since it affects thermals so much. The LED automotive headlights I purchased recently have substantial aluminum fins and cooling fans ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WVJQO58 ) plus external drivers also with aluminum cases. There are tons of cheaper options on Amazon with less thermal consideration. Given the 80w rating (for the pair) compared with the kind of heat sinking you need for a CPU with a ~80w TDP to keep it happy and below 90*C, these looked to be at about the lower end of what would do the job. The fans definitely spin fast and move a bit of air; you can hear them quite well with the ignition on and the motor off.
Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by cjsuk on Monday July 31, 2017 @02:37PM (#14894741)
All the cheap ones I've had that blew up were either an SMD resistor blowing out or one of the LEDs blowing out. When the LEDs blow out if you peel the board off the heatsink you will always find a missing bit of goop under the LED that blew.

Interestingly I stuck one on my bench supply (30v 2a) and I couldn't get one to blow out at all with that!

Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by lucaspiller on Wednesday August 02, 2017 @02:58AM (#14908508)
I have multiple Osram drivers (different models) and some flicker, some don't - so I don't think as a general rule you can say "X brand doesn't flicker". I'd assume the choice of LED, and how many you have makes a difference as well, as it might be based on power draw.
Re:The scientific reason you don’t like LED bulbs – and the ... by cjsuk on Monday July 31, 2017 @04:23AM (#14890301)
This is important to know. Thanks for posting your experience.