Dimmable LED light bulbs seem more economical than halogens. But they're really expensive. Will they quickly come down in price, so I should wait? Or will they come down slowly, so I might as well start saving?
Also, how good is the dimming? I tried dimmable CFL's, but they don't seem to dim past 50%.
posted by musofire
on May 9, 2013 -
13 answers
When converting from halogen downlights to LEDs, if it's going to be a difficult job either way, is it better to replace MR16 sockets + transformers with GU10 sockets or just to use LEDs that are designed for MR16 set-ups? (Assume that I already know that the specific transformer I have would work with the specific LEDs I would buy). And if I want to convert, where can I buy cheap GU10 sockets with Australian 3 pin plugs wired to them (without buying an entire "LED downlight kit")?
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posted by lollusc
on Mar 6, 2013 -
8 answers
We haven't had a proper TV in over a decade. I would like to have something other than my laptop to watch streaming media, DVDs, Netflix, etc. Can you explain how this works in 2013? I imagine we'd buy something like this
Samsung LED HDTV and some kind of speakers. Then what? Do we plug it into a laptop? What exactly is Apple TV and how does it stack up against Roku? This seems like it should be a simple question, but I feel like a caveman emerging from the dark, and am fairly bewildered at all of the options and variations out there.
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posted by barnone
on Feb 11, 2013 -
26 answers
While changing a bulb in one of our rooms, replacing a LED with a CFL because of a need for brighter lighting in this work area, it suddenly hit me: Why does an LED light have a bulb? In both incandescent and CFLs, the bulbs trap gas (or vacuum as the case may be.) But why an LED? It doesn't use a gas and it doesn't need to operate in a near-vacuum for efficiency. Closer examination showed that the bulb was plastic and had no lensing effect.
This question is almost answered
here. Because of the question regarding heat sinks (which seem much reduced in modern LED lights, I'm guessing the answer is because they get hot. So I'm guessing that's what it is, though I also think that having a bulb makes it easier to screw into the socket. Taking these points together, I can imagine getting a burn if there was not bulb by brushing up agains an LED stalk that was on until a few seconds ago when you decided to unscrew it.
So...have I answered my own question or is there more behind the bulb?
posted by BillW
on Jan 29, 2013 -
9 answers
What are your favorite LED christmas lights that are closest to incandescents in warmth and glow?
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posted by hazel
on Nov 28, 2012 -
4 answers
How can I continuously run a 3W - or less - LED light with +/- 350 lumens as long as possible (1 year minimum) with a relatively compact battery source?
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posted by xod
on Nov 14, 2012 -
18 answers
Can I use a CFL or LED bulb in an outside flood light type fixture that is hooked up to an in-wall Intermatic timer? I was told no but I would like to confirm. If that is the case, I'd love a short explanation in plain English. I tried Googling but I'm still confused.
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posted by dottiechang
on Nov 10, 2012 -
11 answers
Looking for a LED light that gives an equivalent brightness and spectrum as a 40W incandescent. Can you help me?
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posted by sciencegeek
on Aug 25, 2012 -
9 answers
I would like to learn more about electronics and circuitry by making a LED light panel. I have questions about how to calculate the number of LEDs I need, soldering, and how to diffuse the light.
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posted by gagoumot
on Aug 2, 2012 -
2 answers
I would like to use LED lighting in my apartment and be able to change colors and brightness. how do I go about that?
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posted by krautland
on Jul 5, 2012 -
10 answers
A friend's got a Samsung LED TV which has two input jacks (appears to be the "3.5mm" type) for Component signal - 1 socket for video (red, green, blue) and 1 for audio (red, white). Problem is: where do I find these cable adapters so we can connect (5) component cables into these (2) input jacks?
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posted by gttommy
on May 20, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm doing a craft project and would like to install two red LEDs that are powered by a battery pack with an on/off switch. I would love your opinion-advice on what to buy and where to buy it.
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posted by komara
on Jan 25, 2012 -
12 answers
Where can I buy 50W equivalent LED lights that work outdoors, operate at 120V, and are of the standard base type? I simply cannot find a bulb that meets all three criteria!
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posted by The Hyacinth Girl
on Dec 18, 2011 -
5 answers
What is the best direction to go in for LED accent lighting/throwies on a budget that demands maximum bang for the buck?
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posted by RolandOfEld
on Dec 17, 2011 -
14 answers
Help me find or make a shade of some kind for my recessed kitchen LED lights.
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posted by kindall
on Dec 1, 2011 -
6 answers
Concerned about "backlight bleed" on Samsung 40" I just bought, can you help me out?
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posted by ascetic
on Nov 26, 2011 -
6 answers
I'm looking for a physical countdown clock that counts down to an arbitrary time. Ideally, it would be similar to the one that Robert Khoo has in the Penny Arcade TV Show. I believe
this is the clock in question and that underneath the "New Year" is a whiteboard. If I could find one just like this, that would be great, otherwise any digital countdown clock would work fine.
posted by mge
on Oct 26, 2011 -
7 answers
School me on light bulbs! My lamp and overhead light bulbs just died, and I'd like to use the opportunity to rethink the type I'm using. I'm totally ignorant in this area, so I'll give as many details as possible, inside the fold....
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posted by UniversityNomad
on Oct 25, 2011 -
10 answers
Electronics help. I'm looking for a good informational/tutorial web site for working with high power LEDs 5 Watts and up.
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posted by Eekacat
on Oct 23, 2011 -
11 answers
I would like to buy a home entertainment system. I would like to listen to music, watch television, movies, and play videogames. I would like to have Netflix. I would like to stream media from my network or the cloud. I want great sound but I am not an audiophile, although I am not averse to spending a lot on speakers. I do not want to spend more than 8 hours doing research. I will spend up to $2500-$3000. How do I attack this problem? Can you recommend specific TV's, receivers, speakers, or stuff like a Roku box? Can you recommend sites that provide easy to understand, objective reviews of equipment like
TelevisionInfo? I do not want to hit the forums if I don't have to. Can you recommend specific configurations of equipment or point me to sites that supply this information. I feel like if I don't get pointed in the right direction, I am going to over analyze this and spend far too much time that I don't have. I just want a rocking home entertainment solution for my family that I won't want to upgrade a week later.
posted by jasondigitized
on Sep 9, 2011 -
13 answers
I'm setting up my "off the grid" solar lighting system in my home, and I'd like to connect the battery to some LED lights. It's a 12 volt DC battery - Do my lights have to be 12 volt also? If they're LED bulbs, they'll have a transformer inside; will that allow me to use them, or do I have to have a voltage converter or something? I've got some edison-style LED bulbs around the house for 85-265 volts.
Thanks in advance for any help. pictures and web links that can explain things simply are helpful. (An earlier, relavent post:
http://ask.metafilter.com/182209/How-to-run-some-lights-from-a-solar-panel)
posted by eggrollover
on Jul 5, 2011 -
4 answers
I would like to buy a 32 inch LED TV. What brand do you recommend?
posted by Tziv
on Jul 5, 2011 -
15 answers
How to calculate the cost of LED lighting. Or... renting my apartment, LED lights, energy conservation and fiscal sense. Please help me!
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posted by gen
on May 9, 2011 -
13 answers
I'm looking for a battery powered LED light to replace the corded light in my illuminated globe. I'm transferring my globe from a
single axis mount to a
Gyro-matic (dual axis) mount. It's no longer convenient to have cord in this configuration, so I'd like to illuminate the globe with an LED light that can be switched on from the bottom base plate. I'd probably have to drill out a hole in the base plate to expose the switch. Any ideas are on lights or installation are much appreciated.
Here's a link to the bulb replacement instructions.
posted by Bushmiller
on May 6, 2011 -
4 answers
Is there a better option than incandescent bulbs for my kitchen? More inside...
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posted by daver
on Apr 24, 2011 -
7 answers
It's been cold recently (-15C) and I burned out two bulbs in my dutch bike's headlamp in a short time. Since the bulbs are hard to find, I thought this was a good time to replace the bulb with a 1-Watt LED light. What I built works, but I don't quite know why.
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posted by kamelhoecker
on Feb 20, 2011 -
9 answers
I've been looking around at lighting options for my bedroom, and my geeky self decided that custom LED strip lighting would be awesome. Then I read previous
AskMe's and want to make sure I can do this without burning down my house! Questions and a search for the easy way inside!
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posted by Mister Fabulous
on Feb 9, 2011 -
4 answers
Does anyone know where one can get instructions on how to make "LED smiles" (or where to buy them)?
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posted by Sangermaine
on Jan 25, 2011 -
3 answers
I'd like to use a single 5mm UV LED
(3.4Vf, 20-25mA) to charge a daub of glow-in-the-dark paint. It only needs to be lit around 1 minute of every 10 (or 6 seconds of every 60), and only when the (room) lights are out. What battery/circuit would be most economical to operate, and require the least-frequent battery changes?
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posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj
on Jan 18, 2011 -
6 answers
I need a computer program that can take the text of my novel and scroll it across the laptop screen like one of those LED ticker scrolling signs in Times Square.
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posted by Sully
on Jan 6, 2011 -
5 answers
LED LCD HDTV? I'm looking to finally replace my 1998-vintage CRT with a Samsung 40" LED LCD @120 Hz (model #UN40C6300SF). It's on sale at Best Buy and the reviews have been very positive with a few complaints of bad panels and visible corner "flashlighting" in a dark room. Anyone have experience with LED TVs? I like their sexy slimness, but are they built to last? Should I wait another year for a comparably-priced 3D version?
posted by timnyc
on Nov 22, 2010 -
6 answers
How to attract the attention of a be-headphoned person in a cube across an aisle facing away from the entrance without touching them? Ideally this would be inexpensive and not require any hardwiring.
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posted by winna
on Aug 19, 2010 -
32 answers
I want to create a customized
Settlers of Catan board. For the purposes of this question, it could also be a custom Monopoly board. I want the pieces ( cities / hotels ) to light up when they are placed on the board. I know I would put LED's in each piece, but besides that, I am not sure if or how I could power up the LED's. I am not an electrical engineer, but magnets, watch batteries or
inductive charging sound good to me. Help me make an awesome electronic board game!
posted by jasondigitized
on Sep 4, 2009 -
8 answers
