LED News

[RackitMan]

Cree claims new LED benchmark

22 Feb 2012

Two new products demonstrate the company's faith in silicon carbide-based LEDs for performance and efficacy.

Cree XLamp XT-E

LED developer Cree has unveiled its XLamp XT-E white LED, which the company believes sets a new benchmark for performance.

According to Cree's figures, the XT-E more than doubles the lumens per watt of the existing XLamp XP-E LED family, providing up to 148 lm/W in cool white or up to 114 lm/W in warm white, both at 350 mA and 85°C. At 25°C it can deliver up to 162 lm/W. The company has stated that the XT-E features the highest performance and efficacy in the industry.

Now we are making some real progress. 148 LPW is a similar efficacy to a 1000W HPS and 162 LPW blows by it. To get the 162 LPW would require serious chip cooling though. The CREE LEDs I use in my DIY lamp get 78 LPW in warm white as compared to these new ones at 118 LPW. (By comparison most red and blue LEDs in current grow lamps are around 30-40 LPW).

In the lab, Cree has hit a record 239 LPW which would take growing to a whole nother level! It will be years hwoever, before they get this into production, but it shows what is possible.

Now before y'all get all excited, the XLamp XT-E LEDs are currently only available on reels as surface mounted devices, meaning hobbyists are not going to able to play with them. Also because they are not the standard red and blue, horticultural lamp manufacturers will likely overlook them as well.

Even so a 50% efficacy bump in one year is an amazing accomplishment and there will be a trickle down effect if we are patient.

RackitMan Reviewed by RackitMan on 02-22-2012. LED News Cree claims new LED benchmark 22 Feb 2012 Two new products demonstrate the company's faith in silicon carbide-based LEDs for performance and efficacy. Cree XLamp XT-E LED developer Cree has unveiled its XLamp XT-E white LED, which the company believes sets a new benchmark for performance. Rating: 5

[silent leprechaun]

Might LED light is loaded with Cree LED bulbs.

The light itself is made by Hydroponics Hut. I can't believe the results I'm getting from this light.

No heat issues, no power consumption issues, zero humidity problems, zero issues with regard to watering. I water every 5 days or so. I can't burn my plants or my house.

The list of positives far outweigh the negatives (which I am yet to find !)

LED is the way to go and Cree seems to be at the top of their game. You can see my LED grow and the evidence in the link in my signature.

I bet Hydroponics Hut will have a new light out soon with these LED blubs in them. I will be applying for an upgrade as soon as that happens !

[RackitMan]

Don't think so. I am about the only one that I am aware of doing successful grows soley with warm white LEDS.

[rockled]

That's should be good news if the development is true .

[Douglas1]

bad news for me! just bought a whole bunch of panels

[rockled]

bad news for me! just bought a whole bunch of panels

sell them as soon as possible to decrease losing

[workintoohard]

Don't think so. I am about the only one that I am aware of doing successful grows soley with warm white LEDS.

Are you using warm white led spot lights or flood lights? Any reason the 2700k led floodlight wouldn't work? Or perhaps I should consider par20/par38 warm white LEDs that replace halogen bulbs in track lighting. Thoughts please Rackitman