Off Topic..,LED Flood Light

Photo Egg

Installed an LED light to light my back deck and yard. Really like the quality of the light but it’s to bright. The front cover unscrews. Could I carefully pop about 30% of the LEDs without causing damage to the other lights?

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Is it possible to install a dimmer? 

stlcharcoal

Photo Egg said:

Installed an LED light to light my back deck and yard. Really like the quality of the light but it’s to bright. The front cover unscrews. Could I carefully pop about 30% of the LEDs without causing damage to the other lights?

Check to see if it's dimmable, then put a dimmer switch on it.  

I have the dimmable 2x2 and 2x4 led panels in my office and and basement.  I rarely need them turned all the way up, but it's nice to be able to do that when I do.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Some LED are not dinner compatible but I have ones that are (but they are inside) 

RRP

Photo Egg said:

Installed an LED light to light my back deck and yard. Really like the quality of the light but it’s to bright. The front cover unscrews. Could I carefully pop about 30% of the LEDs without causing damage to the other lights?

Darian - permit me to take a different approach to solving your problem. Just why is it too bright? neighbors complaning? Can a simple repositioning it solve the problem? Is it a motion detector lamp? 

nolaegghead

you can't remove leds.  if it is not dimmable put some tint on the front

Legume

nolaegghead said:

you can't remove leds.  if it is not dimmable put some tint on the front

Red tint.

hoosier_egger

I'd try dimming the individual led if it were me. Black nail polish or automotive touch up paint. Try one just for sheets and giggles 

HeavyG

If the light is just too harsh I'd be more inclined to lightly sand the lens to act as a diffuser which will "soften" the light and it probably won't seem too bright.

To answer your specific question - I don't know how those individual LED's are wired on the circuit board - they may act independently (my guess) or they may be like those old strings of Xmas lights where one dies they all go out. Poke the center one out and see what happens.

nolaegghead

ColtsFan said:

I'd try dimming the individual led if it were me. Black nail polish or automotive touch up paint. Try one just for sheets and giggles 

those LEDs get hot as f*ck.  why the hell not?  

Photo Egg

nolaegghead said:

you can't remove leds.  if it is not dimmable put some tint on the front

I did not think they were removable. I know LEDs do burn out. I though 1 of the advantage of LEDs was if some went out you still get light. Thought it might be possible to tap 25% with an ice pick and pop them. Right now it is hooked to a live line with dusk to dawn built in.

Photo Egg

nolaegghead said:

you can't remove leds.  if it is not dimmable put some tint on the front

Will tint take the heat? That was my first choice. 

hoosier_egger

nolaegghead said:

ColtsFan said:

I'd try dimming the individual led if it were me. Black nail polish or automotive touch up paint. Try one just for sheets and giggles 

those LEDs get hot as f*ck.  why the hell not?  

The led emitter should be somewhere around 300*. It can handle it.

Photo Egg

HeavyG said:

If the light is just too harsh I'd be more inclined to lightly sand the lens to act as a diffuser which will "soften" the light and it probably won't seem too bright.

To answer your specific question - I don't know how those individual LED's are wired on the circuit board - they may act independently (my guess) or they may be like those old strings of Xmas lights where one dies they all go out. Poke the center one out and see what happens.

I have no idea either if they are in sequence.
might try local glass company and see if I can get piece of tinted glass. I can size it to fit.

YukonRon

You might want to try and smoke it yourself if your glass company is kind of over the top on a quote.

Lot of vehicle customizers will put a thin coat of whatever color they are working with on the plastic covers of head lights...

They are typically halogen or LED....might be worth a try.

nolaegghead

ColtsFan said:

nolaegghead said:

ColtsFan said:

I'd try dimming the individual led if it were me. Black nail polish or automotive touch up paint. Try one just for sheets and giggles 

those LEDs get hot as f*ck.  why the hell not?  

The led emitter should be somewhere around 300*. It can handle it.

It will be hotter if the light energy doesn't go anywhere.  Think about it.

dmourati

You probably want to construct a diffuser on the front glass versus messing with the LEDs. 

mahenryak

LightDims?   I think @dmourati may have the right idea.

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Customizable-White-Dims-Electronics/dp/B07B8FKWRH/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2FMKOPYQ4KBW2&keywords=led+diffuser+sheet&qid=1561779857&s=gateway&sprefix=led+diffuser%2Caps%2C445&sr=8-2

There are other types to choose from...

Photo Egg

mahenryak said:

LightDims?   I think @dmourati may have the right idea.

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Customizable-White-Dims-Electronics/dp/B07B8FKWRH/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2FMKOPYQ4KBW2&keywords=led+diffuser+sheet&qid=1561779857&s=gateway&sprefix=led+diffuser%2Caps%2C445&sr=8-2

There are other types to choose from...

Really like this option. Thank you!

mahenryak

Really like this option. Thank you!

You're welcome @Photo Egg but be careful.  I read this in one of the question/answers:

All LightDims and WhiteDims are for LED-based lighting only. They can only handle up to 200 degrees F or 93 degrees C. They are not for use on incandescent or halogen lights because those lights get 300 degrees F and above. WHen LightDims and WhiteDims go above 200 degrees they start to get soft, and at about 250 degrees F they will start to melt.

By LightDims SELLER  on May 10, 2019

kl8ton

stlcharcoal

These things are relatively inexpensive.....why dont you just buy one with a lower lumen rating?  Move this one somewhere else in the house?

All these mods short of the dimmer will either break the thing or shorten its life because of the heat.

hoosier_egger

YukonRon said:

You might want to try and smoke it yourself if your glass company is kind of over the top on a quote.

Lot of vehicle customizers will put a thin coat of whatever color they are working with on the plastic covers of head lights...

They are typically halogen or LED....might be worth a try.

I did this to the marker and taillights on one of my vehicles back when I sold R-M refinishing products. 

Most of the automotive refinishing supply houses can make custom aerosols. I'd see if they could tint some high solids clear and but it in a aerosol can for you.

gdenby

LED's are point source emitters. Typically, they have shaped lenses above them to concentrate the light. This fixture looks like it may have a flat lenses above the elements, in order to spread the light to bounce around the box to diffuse the point lights.

As above, finding a way to blur the cover pane is probably the easiest way to reduce the harsh impact. Or, something as simple as taping a piece of parchment paper onto the inside of the pane.

Photo Egg

stlcharcoal said:

These things are relatively inexpensive.....why dont you just buy one with a lower lumen rating?  Move this one somewhere else in the house?

All these mods short of the dimmer will either break the thing or shorten its life because of the heat.

This light was about $100.
Because of our heat, humidity and salt air I wanted a quality light. I also really like the wide angle of view.
I needed a light that would mount to a junction box and like its ability to adjust the color tempature.
I'm not sure how accurate the reading was but my laser guage said temp off front glass was under 110 degrees. I will put up a ladder tonight to verify. The lower temp will make options easier. Thanks for your help.