Lighting Question 2

[KVX10]

I'm not sure that this is the appropriate place, BUT here goes... I am about to review induction lighting fixtures versus using HPS fixtures for roadway lighting. There are a lot of pros for using them: high CRI, longevity, etc., however, I am hesitant on making a decision as far as implementing it as I feel like this may be the "betamax" of light fixtures and they may disappear after a few years. LED technology looks more promising.

Any thoughts or insights?
Thanks.

 

[EEJaime]

Induction lamps, while still not in as widespread use as LED's, offer one advantage that may be the overriding factor in your case. There are manufacturers who are designing induction lamp fixtures for outdoor area lighting. I have not seen to date an LED source that can produce the wide dispersion photometrics that an induction or HID source provides. While LED's are certainly bright and have been successfully integrated into small downlighting fixtures, I just do not see them pumping out the lumen output to make a successful area light. The source is too focused and I have not seen a reflector system designed for that.

Perhaps others may be familiar with a manufacturer who has a system available, I would be interested in seeing it.

 

[KVX10]

Here's the manufacturer that I am currently reviewing.

 

[EEJaime]

KVX10,
That is my point exactly. I know the fixtures are around for the induction lamp. I do not know that there is an equivalent LED fixture that will do the same job. I would not hesitate to use induction lamp fixtures. While the first cost is higher, the lamp/ballast life and the lower energy consumption, (well-lower than HID), will offset the initial higher investment over the life of the system.
EEJaime

 

[jraef]

The scuttlebutt is that practical LED outdoor wide dispersal fixtures are still a number of years away yet. High bay indoor LED fixtures will likely hit the market in this coming year, but assume a couple more years to adapt the technology to outdoor applications and work out the bugs (literally and figuratively).


"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> faq731-376

 

[itsmoked]

I would look a little more at LED street lights.

Anchorage is pulling out 30,000 street HID lights to replace them with LEDs. San Jose, CA is pulling out 250,000 street lights to replace with LEDs. LEDs are the future.

http://www.ledlightsorient.com/street-lights-c-8.html

http://www.ledtronics.com/products/cat2.aspx?P=C7D251

http://www.bbeled.com/LED_Streetlight.htm

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6k7i...dfMTQz/SIG=120kbtbsl/EXP=1239734971/**http://

http://www.philipslumileds.com/pdfs/CS11.pdf

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[EEJaime]

Keith,

Thank you for the very informative links, it appears that some manufacturer's are in fact producing the LED hardware. I am not familiar with them but they look very interesting. Especially that bbe link. I think I will try to track down a photometric report, it is difficult to believe that a true IES type III distribution can be achevied by these fixtures. I will look into this further, and thanks to the OP for an intrigueing question.

EEJaime

 

[itsmoked]

Sure EEjaime!

I am working on a few LED systems now, none are street lights, but constantly see new controllers targeted at just running street lights. So expect fairly rapid evolution in this realm too.

As for brightness I just read a hands-on-review of an LED dive light that was substantially more powerful than an equivalent HID dive light. So the brightness is coming up.

If you spec street lighting you might try getting your hands on one of the 50 foot cobra heads and see what you think.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[jraef]

Wow Keith, obviously my source is way behind the times. Thanks.


"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> faq731-376