LED lifetime at 100%

[jeffww]

Does anyone know if the lifetime of an LED fixture is significantly degraded if it's operated at its maximum output? For reference, I'm running my AI prime at 41W but would like to ramp it up to 50W.

 

[User1]

Solid question. Check to see if they have a support page, forum, or FAQ that may help answer this. I know Kessil has a life expectancy per their FAQ on the a360x which is about 35,000 hours (5 - 7 years). They note thought that many factors can reduce that especially addressing humidity, moisture, salt creep, and temperature to include maintenance. Maintenance such as dusting externally and gently blowing air through the vents to clear.

Having said this I would think AI should have something similar. If not I would be surprised and send a email to them.

 

[Ef4life]

I’m in the camp of running anything at 100% shortens the life expectancy. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be issues or failures with it not being utilized at 100% either.

I do think a lot of these newer led fixtures are under driving the leds too so that would be some type of safety factor, and running the fixture at 100% doesn’t mean the actual components are being run at 100%.

 

[ca1ore]

Although there is a common assumption here that running LED at 100% reduces operating lifetime (to L70) …. I've always wondered if that's really true. FWIW, when I have had LED fixtures fail its always been supporting electronics rather than the actual diode.

 

[andrewkw]

I know Kessil has a life expectancy per their FAQ on the a360x which is about 35,000 hours (5 - 7 years).

I just calculated my a350 at 32,720 (11hours a day for 2,730 days). I think it's probably running somewhere around 80-90% this is the really old one you can only adjust with the 2 knobs. I guess I'll find out by next year if it can exceed it's lifespan.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Look up the diode specs to see what 100% really is and what the manufacturer says the lifetime is for. The real problem is thermal management. If the led fixture isn’t keeping the diode at the temperature that the manufacturer designed for, then you’ll definitely see a reduction in life.

 

[GabeM]

That lamp has 16 LEDs and is rated for 55W

I am willing to bet they are 5W being underdriven to 3.5W max so you should be fine given proper heat dissipation.

 

[oreo54]

Well like any light type they fade before dying away.. just, in general MUCH slower..
To be honest most is just an (educated) guess anyways...
It's complicated..

https://www.mglites.com/single-post/2018/12/04/Regarding-100000hrs-Lumen-maintenance-claims-for-LED-lighting

Seen some data where a LEd light "faded" (<70%) in less than 2 years..
anyways geeky stuff:

To recap-

LEDs lumen maintenance is TM21 calculated- to avoid using long term LED manufacturer’s lifespan claims – as great errors can occur over such a long time period.

TM21 lumen maintenance predictions take into account additional /overruling product limitations – such as driver lifespan /LED tolerance variations - and is based on the actual products thermal testing compared with the LEDs LM80 testing results – which is a controlled industry approved method, of providing usable LED lumen maintenance data from the manufacturers LED predictions - as opposed to directly using the manufacturers [unproven] lumen maintenance predictions in the blind hope ,that no other variables [such as those mentioned here] will cause their 100,000hr usefulness claim to fail.

Claims of TM21 calculated predictions of 100,000hrs /L70 would require the LED to have 16,666Hrs of LM80 of elapsed test time – LED efficiency improves every year- the newer more –efficient LEDs are new to the market and usually have not undergone more than 9,000hrs of test time so far -so, the max TM21 prediction you would expect to see would be limited to 54,000hrs [unless the product is using LED from 2 years ago – but the efficiency/energy savings would be lower than new products].

It may be provable, that the LEDs in a product -will run onsite for 100,000hrs – but if the LED driver only lasts for 70,000hrs, it would be pointless.

If the driver last for 100,000hrs – we would expect the products max Ta to be low -We note that many UFO style products use the very same LED driver – made by Meanwell. The HGB240 is often used on 200W models and if ran in an ambient of 40C – would have a lifespan of 60,000hrs.

If a product is said ,to last for 100,000hrs and also have a max, Ta of 45C- they would have to use a driver with a higher Ta rating than the Meanwell HGB240! – we would exepect the product to cost much more, and be accompanied by definitive proof such as, TM21 calculus predictions- and a warranty that guarantees the lumen maintenance after 100,000hrs of operating time.

Onsite temperature conditions affect the products lumen maintenance - a 10C error in guessing the highest site temperature can reduce the light output after 100,000hrs by 20,000hrs – or may lead to driver failure before then.

The gasket seals may it last for 100,000hrs or 22 years.water ingress may occur.
The paintwork may peel off after 100,000hrs – it may breach food safe standards- or look unsightly.

In a sense you are "lucky" that lighting like t5's, MH's have a short measurable span (lumen /spectrum maintenance) of useable life, not to mention pure failure statistics to go on..

100,000hrs is 27 years (10hr/day).. most will leave the hobby long before this..

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Well like any light type they fade before dying away.. just, in general MUCH slower..
To be honest most is just an (educated) guess anyways...
It's complicated..

https://www.mglites.com/single-post/2018/12/04/Regarding-100000hrs-Lumen-maintenance-claims-for-LED-lighting

Seen some data where a LEd light "faded" (<70%) in less than 2 years..
anyways geeky stuff:



In a sense you are "lucky" that lighting like t5's, MH's have a short measurable span (lumen /spectrum maintenance) of useable life, not to mention pure failure statistics to go on..

100,000hrs is 27 years (10hr/day).. most will leave the hobby long before this..

Challenge accepted!