On Friday 05 August 2005 07:51 pm, KY1K scribbled:
> Mine are rated for 30 ma max as well, so with the running lights only, they
> are well within ratings. With the running and brake lights on together,
> they are running over their max ratings.
> 
> I powered up a few on the bench here and ran them at 60 ma for a month. At
> the end of the month, it had the same apparent intensity as a brand new
> diode did (compared them side by side).

One month may be too short to determine even a significant decrease in their 
lifespan.  To each their own.  Where the ones I'm building will be mounted, 
it will be a nightmare to pull out and replace LED's when they are blown.  I 
won't be convinced into running more continuous current than recommended.

> So, I figured they could be overloaded for short periods (since they are
> only overloaded when the brake lights are on).

When/if you sit in traffic for any length of time, an in Texas heat, those 
"short" times can get quite long.


> >Speaking of night-time brightness, I've noticed that on some new vehicles,
> >the
> >brake lights are overly bright and here in Texas where everything is an
> ...
>
> I noticed this as well.....I'd probably be creating a similar situation.


There must be a law limiting the brightness of these.  I know there is one for 
headlights, but haven't found one for taillights yet.

Cheers,
-Neil.



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