More wireless lighting solutions are now available - made possible by advances in LED technology and advances in battery technology. The two areas are converging to allow battery powered LED lights to find their way into applications where they have previously not been able to provide enough light or provide enough lighting solutions.
LEDs are inherently DC powered devices. Batteries for wireless lights provide DC power. As of just a three years ago, white LEDs were not efficient enough to provide enough light to be considered good off-grid lighting. By efficiency, I mean the lumens of light generated per watt of power consumed was not good enough to build a quality battery light. Over the last few years, advances in LED technology have found their way onto the market. These are not gimmicks - the light output, light color and usefulness of LED products meets or exceeds what incandescent or fluorescent / cfl lights can achieve. LEDs that can exceed 200 lumens per watt are finding their way into the R&D laboratories of the better LED component manufacturers. By comparison, incandescent lights provide just 10 lumens per watt and fluorescent bulbs provide just 45 lumens per watt.
Battery technology is advancing rapidly also. Electric cars, cell phones, smart phones, laptops, portable electronics and other battery powered devices are forcing battery companies to produce higher capacity, better performing batteries. Whether they are non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, rechargeable Li-Ion, NiMH or even more advanced battery chemistries that are finding their way into products and into the R&D laboratories of the better battery manufacturers, you can be pretty sure that the impact will be seen over the coming years.
So combine LED lighting and batteries two years from now with the type of intelligent functions that Mr Beams is integrating into its products. What kinds of products do you think will result from these two rapidly progressing technologies? We think there will be some amazing off grid lighting products, LED lighting products, intelligent LED lights, wireless lights and solar powered LED lights (yes, solar powered lights with rechargeable batteries will only get better as solar cell technology is also advancing rapidly) that are coming. We want to be the company providing the best battery LED lights on the market. Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label led lighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label led lighting. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Mr. Beams Lights Up During Power Outages
In July 2010, there was a power outage in the Washington DC area that left 280,000 customers in the dark. The electric company was able to restore power to some quickly but it took days to get everyone back on line.
Several years ago just before we first launched the Mr Beams products onto the market, we created a test program with more than 50 friends, family, people we worked with, potential customers etc to make sure that people we trusted to give us an honest review of our products were happy with our battery powered LED lights. They tested the MB360 spotlight and MB530 step light both battery power LED lights with motion sensors. We got very good reviews, fixed a few problems that had been caught and then launched the products as quickly after the test run as we could.
It just so happens that a few of our test group lives in the Washington DC area and were hit by the power outage. One was hit for several days. It was nice to get calls from people using the lights for over 3 years that called to say how happy they were that they had battery powered lights installed on their stairs, in their hallways, outside of their houses and did not have to carry a flashlight around for the whole power outage.
We feel strongly that a small number of battery powered LED lights permanently installed will be there where you need them when that power outage inevitably rolls around.
Several years ago just before we first launched the Mr Beams products onto the market, we created a test program with more than 50 friends, family, people we worked with, potential customers etc to make sure that people we trusted to give us an honest review of our products were happy with our battery powered LED lights. They tested the MB360 spotlight and MB530 step light both battery power LED lights with motion sensors. We got very good reviews, fixed a few problems that had been caught and then launched the products as quickly after the test run as we could.
It just so happens that a few of our test group lives in the Washington DC area and were hit by the power outage. One was hit for several days. It was nice to get calls from people using the lights for over 3 years that called to say how happy they were that they had battery powered lights installed on their stairs, in their hallways, outside of their houses and did not have to carry a flashlight around for the whole power outage.
We feel strongly that a small number of battery powered LED lights permanently installed will be there where you need them when that power outage inevitably rolls around.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Top LED Lighting Applications Ready for Your Home
When was the first time you knew that the term LED referred to lighting? For most of us it was within the past three years. Today the term is widely recognized as a new type of energy efficient-lighting. That is fast recognition of the term. Adoption of LEDs in residential lighting has taken much longer.
I have been working with LEDs for five years and have a basic grasp of how they work and where they make sense. When I first started working with LEDs, it was predicted that by the year 2012, the majority of lighting would be LED-based. While LEDs are the most efficient lights in the laboratory, they are not the smartest lighting in many actual applications. The predictions failed to take into account a few factors:
1. It is difficult to control certain LED characteristics - such as heat and the color changes over time of LEDs - once they are installed in light fixtures
2. Many fluorescent lights are very efficient already
3. A global economic downturn makes an up-front investment in energy efficiency more challenging
So where does that put the LED industry right now? Gains in efficiency continue to be realized in the lab; more work has been put into a complete lighting solution for LEDs; and better products are launching every month.
I am often asked “Where do LEDs make sense in my home?” When my wife and I gutted our house two years ago, I was eager to install the latest in LED technology. Instead we installed traditional recessed cans and halogen fixtures for more decorative looks. LED-driven fixtures did not make economic sense – they were $100 and in their first generation. With lighting responsible for only 12% of my total energy bill, it appeared that it would take us more than 8 years to pay for the fixtures. By that time LED technology will be significantly more efficient, and might even be replaced by another technology.
Yet there are some applications in your home where LEDs make a lot of sense today. Below is my annual list of the LED fixtures that are ready for your investment. The market is changing so fast so I apologize to those manufacturers that I am unaware of – please post your list on the comment board.
Ready for Buying:
1. Under Cabinet Lighting – Under-cabinet lighting is one of the most requested applications in lighting showrooms. However it is disruptive and expensive to install due to the bulky nature of traditional lighting. It also tends to provide spotty light – too bright under the bulb but not bright enough at the perimeters. LED light strips provide a well-distributed even light throughout a surface. They have a low profile and last up to 50,000 hours.
2. Off-Grid Lighting – Outdoor Solar Lights have been a big disappointment, but they introduced the world to off-grid lighting. New products from Mr. Beams and others replace the solar cells with alkaline batteries and motion sensors for very effective off-grid outdoor lighting. Mr. Beams is the leader in this category by offering four different form factors: Ceiling Mount (MB980); Spotlight (MB360); Stair and Path Light (MB530); and Night Light (MB720). All of the Mr. Beams lights are battery powered and have auto shut-off to conserve battery life. Flashlights are also considered off-grid lighting, and LEDs are perfectly matched for use in flashlights.
Almost Ready:
1. MR16 Replacements – Good application for LEDs. Casinos and Cruise Lines have switched to LEDs for these lights that are on constantly. Use in track fixtures that are on more than 4 hours a day.
2. PAR 30 spotlights for outdoor lighting – Still expensive (minimum of $40 for the equivalent of a 60W bulb – don’t let them tell you otherwise) but the ROI will be quick if you leave your lights on all night. Also good for the inside garage light that you forget to turn off.
3. Recessed Cans – I was tempted to put this in the “Ready” category, but they are still too expensive for the average home-owner who looks at a 2-3 year ROI. Recessed cans from Cree provide beautiful, even white light at an $80 cost.
4. Outdoor Light Fixtures – Less of a heat issue for outdoor fixtures and the small size of LEDs provide many interesting design options. LEDs are much more durable than incandescent and CFL light sources, and there will be no trips up the ladder to replace.
Long Way to Go:
Bulb Replacements – LEDs are directional light sources. They are well suited for spotlights and poorly suited for bulbs. If the LED industry wants to disappoint customers, manufacturers will continue to try to sell LED bulbs that give off the equivalent of a 20W incandescent bulb for $20. A lot of work needs to be put into optics and LED efficiency before this category makes sense for your home.
I have been working with LEDs for five years and have a basic grasp of how they work and where they make sense. When I first started working with LEDs, it was predicted that by the year 2012, the majority of lighting would be LED-based. While LEDs are the most efficient lights in the laboratory, they are not the smartest lighting in many actual applications. The predictions failed to take into account a few factors:
1. It is difficult to control certain LED characteristics - such as heat and the color changes over time of LEDs - once they are installed in light fixtures
2. Many fluorescent lights are very efficient already
3. A global economic downturn makes an up-front investment in energy efficiency more challenging
So where does that put the LED industry right now? Gains in efficiency continue to be realized in the lab; more work has been put into a complete lighting solution for LEDs; and better products are launching every month.
I am often asked “Where do LEDs make sense in my home?” When my wife and I gutted our house two years ago, I was eager to install the latest in LED technology. Instead we installed traditional recessed cans and halogen fixtures for more decorative looks. LED-driven fixtures did not make economic sense – they were $100 and in their first generation. With lighting responsible for only 12% of my total energy bill, it appeared that it would take us more than 8 years to pay for the fixtures. By that time LED technology will be significantly more efficient, and might even be replaced by another technology.
Yet there are some applications in your home where LEDs make a lot of sense today. Below is my annual list of the LED fixtures that are ready for your investment. The market is changing so fast so I apologize to those manufacturers that I am unaware of – please post your list on the comment board.
Ready for Buying:
1. Under Cabinet Lighting – Under-cabinet lighting is one of the most requested applications in lighting showrooms. However it is disruptive and expensive to install due to the bulky nature of traditional lighting. It also tends to provide spotty light – too bright under the bulb but not bright enough at the perimeters. LED light strips provide a well-distributed even light throughout a surface. They have a low profile and last up to 50,000 hours.
2. Off-Grid Lighting – Outdoor Solar Lights have been a big disappointment, but they introduced the world to off-grid lighting. New products from Mr. Beams and others replace the solar cells with alkaline batteries and motion sensors for very effective off-grid outdoor lighting. Mr. Beams is the leader in this category by offering four different form factors: Ceiling Mount (MB980); Spotlight (MB360); Stair and Path Light (MB530); and Night Light (MB720). All of the Mr. Beams lights are battery powered and have auto shut-off to conserve battery life. Flashlights are also considered off-grid lighting, and LEDs are perfectly matched for use in flashlights.
Almost Ready:
1. MR16 Replacements – Good application for LEDs. Casinos and Cruise Lines have switched to LEDs for these lights that are on constantly. Use in track fixtures that are on more than 4 hours a day.
2. PAR 30 spotlights for outdoor lighting – Still expensive (minimum of $40 for the equivalent of a 60W bulb – don’t let them tell you otherwise) but the ROI will be quick if you leave your lights on all night. Also good for the inside garage light that you forget to turn off.
3. Recessed Cans – I was tempted to put this in the “Ready” category, but they are still too expensive for the average home-owner who looks at a 2-3 year ROI. Recessed cans from Cree provide beautiful, even white light at an $80 cost.
4. Outdoor Light Fixtures – Less of a heat issue for outdoor fixtures and the small size of LEDs provide many interesting design options. LEDs are much more durable than incandescent and CFL light sources, and there will be no trips up the ladder to replace.
Long Way to Go:
Bulb Replacements – LEDs are directional light sources. They are well suited for spotlights and poorly suited for bulbs. If the LED industry wants to disappoint customers, manufacturers will continue to try to sell LED bulbs that give off the equivalent of a 20W incandescent bulb for $20. A lot of work needs to be put into optics and LED efficiency before this category makes sense for your home.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Lights to Help Louisiana and Mississippi
I’m watching the opening NFL game – Vikings at Saints in New Orleans. With the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, there have been many videos replayed showing the unbelievable damage and destruction to the infrastructure. Electricity was out for months.
The Mr. Beams™ line of battery-powered LED lights was not yet invented. Lighting is the function that people miss most when electricity is out. We wish we could have provided our LED motion sensor lights to the people affected by Katrina. We recognize that people are still recovering from the impact and are offering two for one Mr. Beams lights to any residents of Louisiana and Mississippi. We will automatically double your order if placed at www.mrbeams.com
We recommend the following products: the MB980 Ceiling Light to light closets, pantries, attics and sheds. It has a motion sensor and a bright 80-lumen Nichia LED. It is a weatherproof light that can also light up a porch or gazebo.
The MB360 Spotlight can provide safety and security lighting for the perimeter of your home. With the motion sensor the Spotlight turns on and lights up intruders or animals. It can provide safety lighting – it can attach to a tree and light up your driveway, walkway and back door.
The MB530 Stair Light lights up stairs. This is particularly important to prevent falls inside and outside your home. With a motion sensor and a bright LED, the Mr. Beams Stair Light will light up stairs and hallways. When you wake up at night to go to the bathroom, the Stair Light will detect you and light up the hallway or stairs. It even glows all night to show you where it is.
Prepare for power outages with the battery-powered lights from Mr. Beams. And if you live in Louisiana or Mississippi, we will automatically double your order on www.mrbeams.com
The Mr. Beams™ line of battery-powered LED lights was not yet invented. Lighting is the function that people miss most when electricity is out. We wish we could have provided our LED motion sensor lights to the people affected by Katrina. We recognize that people are still recovering from the impact and are offering two for one Mr. Beams lights to any residents of Louisiana and Mississippi. We will automatically double your order if placed at www.mrbeams.com
We recommend the following products: the MB980 Ceiling Light to light closets, pantries, attics and sheds. It has a motion sensor and a bright 80-lumen Nichia LED. It is a weatherproof light that can also light up a porch or gazebo.
The MB360 Spotlight can provide safety and security lighting for the perimeter of your home. With the motion sensor the Spotlight turns on and lights up intruders or animals. It can provide safety lighting – it can attach to a tree and light up your driveway, walkway and back door.
The MB530 Stair Light lights up stairs. This is particularly important to prevent falls inside and outside your home. With a motion sensor and a bright LED, the Mr. Beams Stair Light will light up stairs and hallways. When you wake up at night to go to the bathroom, the Stair Light will detect you and light up the hallway or stairs. It even glows all night to show you where it is.
Prepare for power outages with the battery-powered lights from Mr. Beams. And if you live in Louisiana or Mississippi, we will automatically double your order on www.mrbeams.com
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