If memory is correct from my more technical days, LED'* do have a life expectancy but it'* somewhere in the neighbourhood of 25+ years when used correctly for the application.

As mentioned, there are a lot of other factors. A diode, light emitting or not, is a solid stated electonic component just as a transistor or an integrated circuit are also solid state devices.

I recently changed the backlighting in my TNR800 nav unit and it was somewhat of a task. To do this correctly, I had to consider the typical and maximum operating voltage, the forward bias current and millicandela values to name a few. Package is also a consideration. If you check around the net you'll see some of the techinical information available on these. As an example, you can check out Lumex ( www.lumex.com ) - one LED manufacturer. Have a look at the technical specs and you'll see what I mean.

If these devices are operated outside of designed parameters, expect poor performance or a failure.

This is getting way out of control. Relax or call and compare sizes while measuring with calipers.

A typical US auto is considered a 12volt system. The alternator will put out voltage depending on draw etc. This doesn't need a second or third linked post.

Hella designs their products with all this knowledge in mind. The LED failed because of imperfections in quality or human error. There is human error in all things that we make/touch.

Let'* step away from this post and learn more about LED'* etc before we continue this.... BTW..the red lights that shine on our door switches are LED'*. Some newer vehicles have LED'* or tail lights. LED"* are everywhere.

The voltage output of the alternator is controlled by the voltage regulator and is always relatively consistent except for time where the alternator cannot provide proper CURRENT. current varies, NOT voltage, however, when under HEAVY LOAD, and the alternator cannot supply high current at 14.4v it will provide the high current but sacrifice voltage instead.

Here.

Some helpful links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED

http://www.theledlight.com/LED101.html

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/b2_specs.htm

These are great links! Brings back memories from school. Lots of great info to take from these

yup, and you can check out all of them .

http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm

just click on the model and it will show the specs.


Now mind you, these specs are only for that brand and style on the site, Yes some other of the same size and color will be the same Volts, but you also have the MCD'* to think about

I think we are all forgetting the reason this post exists.

Booze had an issue with an LED in an Angel Eye. Another member with experience has offered a solution that Hella should/can be contacted and in the past the customer service was good.

Hella used a product that was expected and designed to function properly in the application. PERIOD. No need for the LED links or talk about resistors etc.

Will....I'd agree with the suggestion to contact Hella. They may replace the set for you.

Oh, Sorry about that... I thought sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas might be helpful. It certainly isn't as though someone reading this information might ever benefit from it... I know there hasn't been ANY talk of these issues here in the past. And YES, I am being sarcastic!

Where I come from, learning and knowledge is viewed as a good thing!

dd...knowledge is good, and it'* great to share it.

However the point here is that Hella designed them to work on the car. This isn't about other LED'* in other applications. My reason for repeatedly pointing that out is to help the author get his Hella light problem fixed. We were running a pretty crazy tangent about resistors etc when a call to Hella in the past has gotten a new set of lights for others.

We should use another thread for discussing and knowledge transfer about general LED stuff.

What he said ^^^^



though that was sorta interesting, anyway

thanks again˛