I want to make a list for newbies like me.
When i check the specs for a LED i only can find infos from cree. But we all know that it is possible to run a LED with much more current.
But what is the limit (with proper cooling)?
Please help me to complete the list and correct me if i am wrong.
The limit as in the absolute maximum before failure? Or do you mean peak operating current. There is diminishing returns once you go past a certain point and many variables. Check out Djozz or Match’s LED tests, consolidated graphs and links to the pages can be found in my sig. I’m interested to see where you go with this.
The point made is that, long before the led is being fried, it procuces only more heat instead of more light.
Example:
A certain led is sold with max output specs @ 3A.
Testing shows that the led will produce more lumens until 6A, after which more current will only result in more heat but les output
Testing also shows that the led will continue to work until 7A, after which it dies.
Question: do you absolutely want to go as close as possible to the death zone A 7A, or do you want to be close to the max output level @ 6A?
Or do you want the best possible output relative to current, in other words, the point with the highest efficiency?
I think he wants to know the maximum current before it makes very little sense to go higher. Of course these numbers vary depending on the modder’s perspective. here are mine:
He said point before frying. That is the point I like to take some of my lights too. The logic being that I want maximum brightness in my highest mode. I don't care about efficiency in that mode because I rarely use it. But when I use it, I want it as bright as possible.
EDIT: The question in the OP will be hard to answer for Cree emitters. For a while, you could drive an XM-L2 up to around 8 amps if you did it right. But lately, they are dying under 6 amps (I think 6).