How long are your LED Lights Lasting?
- Thread starter Paul F
- Start date
Norman99
Well-known member
The led itself does indeed last a long time, here I am talking about the emitter itself. The problem is the sturdiness of the housing or fixture as well as the quality of the dimmer potentiometer and the associated electronics inside. The emitter themselves are also prone to tint variation over time, but as better units hit the market, they will most likely be replaced by the improved and more powerful versions way before they reach near the end of their life cycle which is above 25K hours. I have a few leds running 24-7 since 1999 in my basement without any issues. I underdrive them to 70% of their rated maximum for power and heat reduction and they are as bright as new.That's well over 30K hours. They never fall down and no dimmer is used.
If these same leds were to be put into a plastic housing with a so so pot for dimming, the pot and power on switch would be the first to go if the unit did not meet it's end by dropping it on a hard surface. Even at that, the leds would very likely survive the shock. Would I get it repaired ? depends. A cheap unit, no, an expensive unit, yes depending on the estimate. If my 65 dollar unit fell and cracked and required 35 dollars to fix, it goes in the trash as for 25 dollars more I get a new one with a new warranty. If my 400 dollar unit did the same and costs 100 to fix, then it goes for repairs. All depends on the unit.
If these same leds were to be put into a plastic housing with a so so pot for dimming, the pot and power on switch would be the first to go if the unit did not meet it's end by dropping it on a hard surface. Even at that, the leds would very likely survive the shock. Would I get it repaired ? depends. A cheap unit, no, an expensive unit, yes depending on the estimate. If my 65 dollar unit fell and cracked and required 35 dollars to fix, it goes in the trash as for 25 dollars more I get a new one with a new warranty. If my 400 dollar unit did the same and costs 100 to fix, then it goes for repairs. All depends on the unit.
