A few of the nice E17A, and the Azure in particular, are unobtainium. I have found a supplier who can get me a low enough price on a reel of 6000 to make it at least plausible ($0.23/LED, or $1380), could also source some of the other rare Nichias if I need. I think should also be able to source the brighter -V1 version over the original.
In order to make this happen I’d like to get at least $750 back in interest before I would consider placing the order - I don’t mind sitting on a few thousand LEDs and selling slowly but I need to recover some of my investment just with everything else I have going on.
Currently collecting interest (with potential quantity, please ). Was thinking maybe $2/LED for 20 or below, $1.50 up to 100, $1 each 100+, $0.5 each 1000+ (anyone? :P). At the moment the only known source is that Hank sometimes has them for $2 each, and I’ve only heard about quantities of 10 or less.
I can also definitely get 1850k (I found one supplier who sells small numbers of 1850k, but they are explicitly mentioned as being samples, so probably not stretchable to medium quantities) and I’m fairly sure should be able to do the whole range of E21A too.
I’m still waiting for the world to realise these exist and produce some crazy multi-coloured builds with them
Edit: surprised how well those uploads worked, especially viewing them on my phone, it appears the spectra is more different than I initially realised, DOH!
Damn, just what I had been looking for! Doing some funky TS10s soon, so I’m absolutely interested in the Azure as well as 1850K, though not too many each. 12 or 15, maybe.
Thanks for organizng this!
EDIT: scratch that, TS10 mule. 45 of the 1850k and 15 azure pls :3
Interesting. I see that on the data sheet now. I’ve been having fun reading about the human centered broad spectrum stuff and the impacts on mood and behavior, but I’m a psychotherapist with a very limited knowledge of electronics. I love to grab different cct lights based on the time of day and phase of the moon at night. The azure looked beautiful in pictures and I’d like to see how pleasing it is in the morning, but Hank just sold out so maybe I’ll give the Cree and some other shades a try while everything else becomes more available.
Understanding that the aim of the human centered stuff is to recreate the broad spectrum of sunlight and that blasting 480nm or using any led wont have the same benefit as stepping outside, I wonder if using some of those wavelengths (450-500nm) as supplements will translate to “oh, that looks nice” in a flashlight? Also if what looks nice to different people reflects variations in our physiology? Fun stuff. Im probably moving towards a tunable strip for my office with no windows, but flashlights are way cooler.
Sorry for the long-winded response, possible inaccuracy, and gross generalizations (social science background). Lots of coffee today. Thanks for the advice!
Edit: I think this is where I got the idea for using azure. Nichia suggests mixing with a low cct to get 480 in a broad spectrum:
Photoreceptors cannot distinguish between different wavelengths. This is the principle of univariance. Having a range of wavelengths is not necessary.
The benefit of “stepping outside” comes from UVB allowing the photosynthesis of vitamin D3. However, this has no effect on melanopsin, which regulates melatonin.
Shorter wavelengths of blue (415-455 nm) are known to be harmful. Considering the peak of E17A azure is 440-450 nm, it should not be used for health benefits.