The led will be reflowed on the middle of a copper bar, 3mm thick, on average 15mm wide, and 90mm long, so the heat can go in two directions 45mm far. After that it is spread out over an aluminium plate. I’m ok with the led running at 100degC I guess….
Sounds like it is made already but I have done nothing yet
I’m not going to use the full 6 inch, but a 9mm section (~3.5 inch). I have a feeling that that is a sort of optimal size/throw combination for this reflector.
So for the 9inch version the optimal size would be 135mm, and that may even get close to the 1 Mcd (well, 900 kcd). But as said, can’t get that one for cheap, let’s first try this one.
Collecting that last bit of light (the less intense light) will not add that much extra light (lumens), but the extra area of the reflector (going from 90 to 120mm) will add a lot more throw, assuming the reflector is shaped well enough to be focused. The light reflected from the outer portions of the reflector would make a very small hotspot.
I did try what the complete reflector did, but as I was sort of playing around I did not write it down. I did give more throw but not much more, and the light will be a whole lot bigger.
I understand, and that’s why in my mind it should catch about, hmm… 120° probably, but not less.
But i have no idea of the measurements of your parabole, but i think you’re around 90° with your idea (?)
I just wish i had a prab. reflector to experiment with and see for myself…
I did some research, it seems like the best cheap option for a parabolic reflector is these "3d mirascope" toys that djozz brought up, which come in 6 and 9 inch sizes.
They are not perfect, there are a lot of complaints about easy scratching and cheap plastic, but the coating seems pretty good as long as you handle it carefully (as you always should).
From the reviews, these have the clearest image and least aberrations.
I put in the measurements into a ray tracer and it captures slightly over 120 degrees from the focal point, which is almost perfect for using with an LED.
I plan to buy the 9" one some time and test things out myself, if it works as expected (the other guy said he got 300-400kcd) then I will try to buy a professional glass reflector for myself with similar size and focal point.
$7 is a great deal for a reflector of this kind, and 6" is pretty close to what you were looking for so I highly recommend you try the 6" mirascope one out :)
I just decided to order one, i hope i can find one of similar quality / the same product for under 20 bucks shipped. (i’m not exactly Bill Gates…)
120° sounds great to me.
6 inch is bigger than i had in mind originally though, but so be it.
Thanks.
Wait. Did you guys miss what happened? Djozz says that with the complete reflector, the throw was greater and the beam was larger… not or, and! How could this be a bad thing?