02-03-2007, 09:55 PM
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#128 (permalink)
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| | Re: Do not feed the Dinosaur!
Bill Baka wrote:
> Eeyore wrote:
> > Bill Baka wrote:
>
> >> LEDs are better than incandescent lights,
> >
> > What do you mean by better ?
>
> Much more mechanically robust, smaller, new and evolving technology, and
> little thermal wasted on a hot filament.
Why does 'new technology' = better ? Keeping powerful LEDS cool is actually a serious concern !
The big ones need heatsinks.
> >> maybe on par with fluorescents,
> >
> > Their efficiency in lumens / watt is currently typically no better than 50% of that of > >
> CFLs.
> >
> Even fluorescents make the light as a secondary effect.
So what ?
> >> and don't need a minimum voltage to run the electronic ballasts.
> >
> > In exactly what way don't they ?
>
> The ballasts have a minimum workable voltage. Transistors optimized for
> 110 VAC rectified don't like low voltages.
Nonsense.
> Just look at the back of your computer and see if there is a 110/220 switch.
If there was a demand computers could run on 12V too. Laptops actually run off 19V typically and
you can also get 12V DC CFLs.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Compact-Fluoresc...QQcmdZViewItem
The line voltage is not even remotely the issue.
> >> I think 100 watts would be the output for an average person
> >> and even that might be pushing it for a person in a developing country
> >> who may not have enough good nutrition. At 100 watts, solar panels start
> >> to be a major investment and don't work too good at night or on hazy
> >> overcast days.
> >
> > I don't rate solar panels as an intelligent solution to today's energy issues either for ppl
> > who live on-grid.
>
> Why not? Even at only 20% efficiency they are better than fossil fuel.
No they're not. Not remotely in any way practical for most of the world.
> That is the sticking point for right now. All kinds of money is being
> spent on research to find a solar cell that goes to even 30%.
Even that doesn't solve the problem that no sun = no power output !
> If we would just start buying what is available now instead of waiting for the
> Nirvana of more efficient solar cells we might be digging out of our oil
> problem.
You'be making it worse more likely.
> Not enough windy spots for windmills, unless of course they could be
> utilized in a hurricane and suck up the power of nature on a rampage.
> I know I'm dreaming on this one.
Plenty of places that can (and do) produce wind power in Europe. Offshore generation is becoming
very popular.
You've completely failed to address the isue that most leds just produce a single colour btw.
Great for traffic lights. Not so good for lighting your house.
Graham
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