SunLikeLamp.com sent me their adjustable CCT LED bulb for testing.
Manufacturer website: SunLike12-16S
This large and relatively powerful E27 bulb from Sunlikelamp.com has two different CCT COB LEDs with micro switches to adjust the color temperature between 2200 and 5600K (5 modes in total). While the exact LED configuration tested here is not available from the webstore (for a good reason), it’s available with customizable color temperatures with different methods for switching between them (power cycling, ZigBee+remote). There’s a variety of other options as well such as more LEDs, different bodies and lenses.
The main specs by the manufacturer:
–2200K-5600K color temperature (five modes total)
-Chinese SOL COB LEDs
-CRI (Ra) 97
–13W power rating
-AC voltage of 85-285V, also available as a 3-35V DC version
-lifetime estimate 20 years
-warranty 11-22 months depending on payment method
Measurements
Measurements were made in a 50cm integrating sphere with an x-rite i1pro spectrometer after the bulbs had warmed up for 1 hour. Intensity (lux at 1 meter, candela) was measured outside the sphere at 1 meter. Tests were conducted without the diffuser unless stated otherwise.
The bulbs were connected to mains power which at the time of testing was at 230V.
Output at 1 hour on the middle mode with all the COB LEDs active is 1071 lumens at 12.4 watts. Manufacturer doesn’t specify output.
Efficiency is alright considering the very even spectrum and high CRI. The warmer LED is significantly less efficient as is expected.
Maximum output is reached immediately. Light output in lumens was plotted over one hour. Output drops only a little during the first hour and doesn’t take long to plateau. Output is perfectly stable regardless of house AC voltage fluctuations.
Color rendering
The CRI data on all the CCT modes was measured after a 1 hour warm-up period in an integrating sphere without the diffuser. The actual tint and color reproduction will be affected by the light fixture and the color of the room.
2x2200K
5600K+2x2200K
2x5600K+2x2200K
2x5600K+2200K
2x5600K
Color rendering is very good reaching CRI Ra of 97-98 when only one type of LED is used. The warmest mode produces similar results to the previously tested Sunlike 3-5 bulb using the same LED.
The color temperature difference between the 2200K and 5600K LEDs is very large. Mixing them reults in a lower color rendering index and mixed modes are also very pink in tint for the same reason. On their own, none of the modes look bad, it’s only when you’re switching between them when the difference in the tint (pink/yellow) is obvious and distracting. Going to the warmest mode from any of the mixed ones results in a visually very yellow light.
Load IES TM-30-18 Color Rendition Reports by clicking the thumbnails:
CGATS CRI Data files:
2x2200K
5600K + 2x2200K
2x5600K + 2x2200K
2x5600K + 2200K
2x5600K
Color temperature and tint
Tint is slightly above the black body line on the 2200K LED and slightly below on the 5600K. When LEDs heat up, their duv value almost always decreases and becomes less green/yellow. This was measured after 1 hour in an integrating sphere when the output and tint were stabilized.
Because of the large CCT difference, the middle modes are pink in hue as their xy coordinates on the CIE chart are exactly linear.
Tint shift is not an issue with or without the diffuser thanks to the flat COB LEDs which rarely exhibit significant shift with varying observer angles.
If you want to see how the diffuser affects the color, here’s a comparison from directly below the bulb at 1 meter with and without it.
2x2200K
5600K + 2x2200K
2x5600K + 2x2200K
2x5600K + 2200K
2x5600K
Flicker
Flicker is not an issue. Slight ripple at ~50kHz and a snob index of 0% guarantees visually stable output.
AC power draw
Current is drawn in short pulses 100 times a second as the input voltage gets high. Power factor is low at 0.56-0.58. Color temperature doesn’t change the behavior and all modes consume pretty much the same amount of power at just under 13 watts.
2x5600K + 2x2200K
Voltage: 230V
Current: 0.097A
Power: 12.4W
PF: 0.56
Cyan line: mains line voltage
Yellow line: current draw of the bulb
Violet line: power draw (voltage * current)
Noise
There’s no audible buzz or whine from the bulb.
Verdict
The Sunlike SS13 is a large and powerful but well heatsinked E27 bulb for home use. It features adjustable color temperature too. My sample had an unfortunate mix of LEDs which make the mid modes quite pink compared to the extreme ends but better configurations are available. Choosing 2700K+5000K for example will be much better in this regard. Color rendering and tint is very good as the previously tested SOL series of COB LEDs have shown.
Switching between color temperatures either with power cycling (turning the light off and back on again) or using a Zigbee compatible remote is a more convenient alternative to the microswitches in my sample. Especially if there are more than two different CCT LEDs used.
Please note that the test was done when the bulb was brand new. I can’t guarantee that they will perform similarly after months or years of use.
, I guess I’ll try to order some.
