Impression and teardown of an Ikea 'Ledare' household bulb (edit may 2016: new 90CRI version checked out)

I bought two of these this afternoon for 9 euro each, one is in the standing reading lamp now, the other is no more... What I wanted to find out is if the leds+optics could be used to build a lantern but after the breakdown that appeared not possible because the leds are in two strings of 12, working at the too high voltage of 36V (I measured it with the DMM).

What's leftover for me to report is the impression and breakdown of the bulb. It is a pretty standard size E27 type bulb with plastic cover and a white painted aluminium base (=heatsink). The bulb puts out 600 lumen of 2700K >87CRI light that goes mainly sideways (therefore my interest for building it into a lantern). 87CRI is more than most household bulbs, I'm really pleased that IKEA abandoned the standard 80CRI with this bulb. It works very well in the reading lamp (that has a big shade that directs the light downward), very pleasant light and it gives softer shadows than the halogen bulb that it has replaced.

The teardown was a challenge because of tough plastic-kit and potting stuff, and resulted, as said, not in the desired lantern parts :-( I am not educated in electronics so I give you just the pictures without commenting on them, it should be ok I assume. That's all, I hope you find it useful.

Pictures:

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May 11th 2016 Update

I was in IKEA this afternoon and they appear to have a new version of the E27 600 lumen household bulb, for under 7 euro now, different specs, different construction, different optic. So I bought one. Some new claims: 70lm/W (was 60lm/W), 90+CRI (was 87+CRI). I tried it in the reading lamp instead of the former 87CRI version that was in there, and it is not that the difference is obvious. I took a picture of the light of the old and new bulb, the new bulb still has a ripple in the light output (not visible but it appears in the photo's), the new ripple is a bit larger but also smoother.

Nice to see that IKEA is still ahead of most sellers in light quality!

Left the old bulb, new bulb on the right

The old bulb in the reading lamp:

The new bulb in the reading lamp:

Interesting mix of old school thru-hole and SMD components. Any idea on what emitter those are?

Looks well made as expected. What make are those capacitors?

I have no idea what emitters they are, perhaps even generic chinese ones.

The caps are branded 'Aishi' the blue ones are 330micoF, 30V, there's also a smaller black one, same brand, 25V, 47microF.

This reminds me to upload the pictures and teardown of another ikea led bulb. 400 lumens 8,1 watt I bought a few years back. Thank you for sharing this.

If you can get Warhawk or someone else who is Eagle sawwy to take a look at this it should be no issue for him/them to whip up a oshpark board for parallel config.

Just send him measurements of... whatever he needs. IDK enough about eagle/oshpark to contribute anything valuable other than the idea... Sorry. But sure would make a nice lantern if converted. These cheap chinese smd leds put out fairly high cri light. I think the chinese don´t like cold white lights.

While working. Could you at any time detect any pwm from the bulb? I have not from any of the Ikea bulps I have but I have Phillips that does show pwm and some small ones called Diolux which also has visible PMW. A nuisanse.

I did not bother to check on PWM because it is not a dimmable bulb, but now I did.

EDIT: it is indeed a dimmable bulb, I checked the package.

The fequency must be at least high because I can not see it by waving the bulb before my eyes (I can detect up to about 6000Hz that way. But it does something funny when video'ed:

What is the part number on the LED star L-M6005 –850-01-V2.0 ?

Can you measure the emitter LxW please
They appear to be 3528’s 3.5mm x 2.8mm

The size of the emitters is 3.0 x 2.0 mm, and here's a better picture of the board text:

Can’t find that board anywhere…fooey

3020 emitters…cool

Interesting…

Output filtering capacitors are 30V rated and output voltage is 36V. They must be in serial connection which is weird from a cost perspective (220uF/50V capacitors are very common)

Aishi is chinese brand but are supposed to be decent.

Also driver has no bulk input filtering capacitor which could lead to greater amount of AC voltage in output but film capacitor should be more robust and reliable.

This afternoon I found a new version of the Ledare 600lumen E27 bulb, it is even 90+CRI now :slight_smile: . I updated the OP with a short impression.

Keep the optic its cool.

A Variable Dimming Lantern would be Cool.

You can find DC 12V rings on ebay. Smaller sizes too. Search Angel Eye, DRL or Daytime Running light. They should be in the COB type or style of. I have COB 12v strips but never tried to use a PWM to Dim them. Nor have I tried to hook up to a CC CV DC converter, like this

"DC Converter Constant Current Voltage 5-35V to 1.3-30V LED Driver Charger LM2596":http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-Converter-Constant-Current-Voltage-5-35V-to-1-3-30V-LED-Driver-Charger-LM2596-/371668920532?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=p1INa%252B7YRmGNI%252FaBOA%252F0kvprQVQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

to change brightness. I know a COB does not like voltage drops. 12V COB may just turn off at 10V. With the converter above you may be able to maintain voltage and drop Current to Dim a COB. Never tried it but I do have a couple of those converters and some 12V COB Strips if you want me to try it. Found the smallest 12V COB ring, 60mm in white, here "1X 60mm COB Led Halo Rings Angel Eyes":http://www.ebay.com/itm/1X-60mm-COB-Led-Halo-Rings-Angel-Eyes-Cars-Headlight-Multicolor-Non-polar-/311592167822?var=&hash=item8e27b10f39 I recently converted an old Ikea 12V AC 20W Halogen desk light to this

used this... I won on ebay for $2 shipped

"3W recessed Light":http://www.ebay.com/itm/3W-LED-Ceiling-Light-Cool-White-Download-light-Recessed-Spotlight-Lamp-downlight-/152151786432?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=p1INa%252B7YRmGNI%252FaBOA%252F0kvprQVQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

It is a 3X 1W in 3P, recessed light with a nice heatsink. I took out the 120V AC driver and now use a PWM Dimmer with power from an old Dell PC power supply in the 12V rails. It is Dimmable witht he PWM but cant run it on high for too long. It's too bright anyway on high. However I can Dim it to very low to off. Some things to consider... DC 12V lighting or even USB powered LED (5V) for your project.