A few days ago
I penned a review of
the larger Daniu 33cm/105mm LED illuminated swingarm magnifier on Banggood; I liked it but it seemed a little dim, especially considering the BOM and LED density. I've spent some time puttering around with it, and have come to a not-so-surprising contusion:
it has constipated electrons. This magnifier uses 32 3020 white LEDs; these typically drive from 0.2-0.5W each, with a 60-150mA current at 3.0-3.4VFd. Even the cheap, single die/package versions are designed to dissipate 60mA/0.2W per LED; at operating temps up to 80°C.
TL/DR Takeaway: We should be able to get approx 6W out of EACH lighting channel, and there are two; one for WHITE and one for WARM WHITE.
Some quick measurements indicate it is producing approx 2.5W per channel due to approx 1.5V being dropped across the cheesy 22/24ga wiring in the thing. Rewiring the head with 18ga silicone wires brought that up to approx 12.81W both channels connected directly to my PSU at 5.2V/3.15A total with LEDs driving at 3.09VFd/64mA. A little hotter than I like, but it ran for over 2 hours and only got warm to the touch; I could still lay the back of a finger across all the LEDs and ballast resistors so this test does does prove concept.
Adding the Controller in circuit these figures remain approximately the same at 5.2V for single channel operation; output of either WHITE or WARM WHITE channel is approx 6.4W. However, when both channels are enabled the controller is programmed to reduce max output to approx 60% Duty cycle; this drops total output to approx 8.4W @ 2.16A total current. meh.
Still, a good experiment; you can get excellent illumination from this LED magnifier simply by rewiring with 18ga using the original controller and a good 5V/2A power pack, or even better
@worsthorse: Heads-up! you can remove it all and get amazing illumination using a nice, quiet, EMI-free linear to drive both channels at 4.8-5V/3.2A. For approximately US$25 plus your time & power source.
Cheers,
mnem
*toddles off to ded*