Making a really bright LED panel

Other Hardware LEDs and Multiplexing
1

Hey,

Does anyone have experience making a really bright (~100 W or even more), long LED panel controlled by the Arduino?

There's a youtube video whose location escapes me at the moment; I'll post it if I find it.

2

How do you mean by "long" ?
You may find simple LED strips powered from 12V and controlled with N-channel MOSFET(s) controlled by Arduino might be enough.
For example, a length (or lengths in parallel) with all 3 colors on might do what you need.
http://www.dipmicro.com/store/LS3528IP30-W60RGB-5M

3

Or maybe something here
https://www.superbrightleds.com/

4

Hi, what do you mean by Arduino controlled, exactly? Fade the whole panel or individual led control? White or rgb? How long is long?

100W would be about 1,200 white leds, which could be made up of 12 strips of 100 leds requiring 8~9A @ 12V. That would be around 1.6m long assuming the strips are 60 leds per metre. This could be faded with a logic level MOSFET.

EDIT: Bob, you beat me to it!

5

Yeah sorry for the vague details, and I suppose it isn't strictly necessary that it be "long".

Essentially, the idea is to use an LED light that would be moderately visible from very long (10-20 miles) distances (given an open plain and unobstructed line of sight). It would preferably be at least controlled by the Arduino to the extent that it could be turned on and off autonomously, but this is not strictly necessary.

I would be interested in knowing:

  • how powerful the light would have to be to safely accomplish this

  • whether it would be more cost effective to build rather than purchase it

  • if so, how I would do that/if there's a circuit diagram or tutorial somewhere

I'd appreciate any help.

6

What's the requirement for long term reliability?
Brightest LEDs you'll easily find are ones used in flashlights, which most folks here have zero experience with so they say silly things like "1200 white leds".

Take a look at the Cree XM-L2. To really get them bright you'll need a good heatsink. But even then, 20 miles visibility, I don't know what you're expecting. Maybe if you live far outside the effects of city lights and the viewer is on axis to the beam.

For that kind of visibility you might have to look at proper HID lamps.

7

Yes, I don't know about 20 miles. I'd have to be up a couple thousand feet to be able to see that far around here, too many trees, hills, low "mountains", and no straight stretches of road that long.

8

It would be on a drone.

@INTP: it's mainly relevant for a proof of concept design, so long term reliability isn't a priority (beyond lasting long enough to test a decent amount of times).

Thanks again for the help.

9

INTP:
Brightest LEDs you'll easily find are ones used in flashlights, which most folks here have zero experience with so they say silly things like "1200 white leds".

100W / 12V = 8.3A

8.3A / 20mA = 416 groups of 3 leds, so around 1,200~1,250 leds in total

Bearing in mind how little the OP had told us of his application when I made that suggestion, I'm not sure why you described it as "silly".

INTP, have I offended you in some way recently, perhaps in another thread?

10

Very vague description of the problem. Is it to see or to be seen.
You could probably see a candle at 10 miles distance at sea on a moonless night.
You might need a 1000watt spotlight for that in a city.
At that distance, lenses or reflectors could be better than a shipload of power.
Leo..