LED Cost

Gee, if all he's doing is mounting led's on a board in our specified ratio, shouldn't we consider seeking a source for the LED's and make these boards ourselves? I had an electronics class a couple of semesters ago and if all he's thinking of providing is the completed board (no computer controls, etc.) then we could probably purchase the LED's, boards, and solder ourselves. It would be good experience for us to build these ourselves as we will eventually need to replace burnt out LED's in the twenty years of twilight.

Roger

I'm thinking along those lines also, but I'm going to find out all I can. He might be able to supply parts etc cheaper than I can buy or build them myself, so I don't dismiss anything. Plus, just the process of researching I learn a lot of other sometimes useful things along the way.

Steve F

I dug out my Jameco catalog (one of the more expensive suppliers of electronic components) and using John's snaplite info, I found that $400 would purchase app. 1000 red LED's, 150 blue LEDs, a couple of PCB's, and other tools and equipment as needed. This is for a single setup and as I said, Jameco is one of the most expensive suppliers. I have indirect access to a few other suppliers (through the physics department at K-State). Should I investigate further?

Roger

Not all LEDs are the same by any means. The higher output ones are usually in the 1-3 dollar range. There are also surface mount ones that give you 180 degrees of light as opposed to the 22 degree angle the regular, but more common and easier to work with, ones. The white ones, by the way, are actually blue with a white phosphur embedded in the resin. You're going in the right direction, but there is still a lot of research, at least on my part, to do. The more of us doing research, the more we can learn from each other. Through a university, the pricing and availability should be better. Keep looking at all alternatives.

As an example, at one point I was trying to find a supply of radium chloride to apply directly to a sandwich of solar cells surrounded by lead shielding, in effect creating a semi-free energy battery. Radium chloride is next to impossible to get hold of unless your part of the radiology department of a hospital, and is, of course, radioactive. I finally found a source in PR China, but at $3500 a mg, 200 or more grams needed to create a decent device is just out of the question, but I will continue to explore any and all avenues for lighting, energy etc., so should you.

Steve F