Question About LEDs?

[MarkoD]

so i bought this LED "worklight" that ran on 3x AAA batteries(4.5 volts).

i took it apart and hooked it up to a variable voltage power adapter.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-04at33139PM.png

so at 4.5 volts it works exactly the same as it did with the batteries..... but as i increase the voltage, the LEDs get brighter.

at 9 volts they seem to be almost double the brightness.

my question is, will the increased voltage wreck the LEDs or something else on it?

is it safe to overpower LED lights?

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

most people and companies run their led at 70% of their maximum power.those led will burn out.
what is the amperage rating for that power supply.
from the photo i think those led are the 10mm.

[MarkoD]

the power supply says 500mA

so should i just run them at 4.5 volts or can i safely increase it?

im gonna use this to light my fluval edge, and i'd like to get as much light as i can without causing it to overheat

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

I wouldn't run them at a higher voltage.
Unless you have the rating for each led i would stick with the manufacturers drive rating.
Maybe with a 25% more juice:biggrin:

[MarkoD]

awesome, thanks.... hoping nothing catches fire

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

If you are going to over drive them check for temperature.
those led made to simply die as in short-out not explode on fire.

[MarkoD]

If you are going to over drive them check for temperature.
those led made to simply die as in short-out not explode on fire.

good to know... been running them at 6 volts for about an hour.... the power adapter is hotter than the lights themselves. so far so good might try to go up to 7.5 volts and then will probably stop there