LED Nav Lights

[rogerthebodger]

To achieve the brightness, Nasa apparently pulse drive the LEDs.

Don't know about pulse drive but the circuit is a constant current drive of about 17.5 mA.

The LED's are split into two banks of LED's in series each with a micro driven constant current circuit that has a maximum voltage of 50VDC across each bank.

I have had LED's go both open circuit and short circuit. When one LED goes open circuit the whole bank is affected.

 

[GHA]

To achieve the brightness, Nasa apparently pulse drive the LEDs.

You can limit the current with a linear regulator as well, cheaper but not as efficient.
http://frankenbebiproject.org/ckt-desc-rev1.1.html

 

[Salty John]

You can limit the current with a linear regulator as well, cheaper but not as efficient.
http://frankenbebiproject.org/ckt-desc-rev1.1.html

A few years ago there was a concern about masthead LED lights interfering with VHF (and AM/FM) reception. The problem appeared to be confined to switching regulators (buck regulators) with no problems reported with linear regulators. I don't know if this issue is now completely resolved but I assume the various manufacturers who were under fire - particularly Lopolight and Orca Green - addressed the problem.

Worth checking when installing masthead LEDs.

 

[GHA]

A few years ago there was a concern about masthead LED lights interfering with VHF (and AM/FM) reception. The problem appeared to be confined to switching regulators (buck regulators) with no problems reported with linear regulators. I don't know if this issue is now completely resolved but I assume the various manufacturers who were under fire - particularly Lopolight and Orca Green - addressed the problem.

Worth checking when installing masthead LEDs.

I have heard talk of AIS recieve range being reduced with a masthead tricolour being turned on next to the antenna, I can't see any difference on mine with a lopolight but might be something in it.