I've opened some of these before, but thought it would be good to see if there has been any progress in this area of LED lighting.
COB means Chip On Board and relates to the direct mounting of LED dice directly onto an aluminium core PCB and covering them with a clear or phosphor loaded gel.
The usual arrangement is to use half watt LEDs and arrange them as a series parallel array that allows them to match whatever driver is used. In this case it appears to be two series strings of three LEDs wired in parallel. When I tested it with the bench supply they started glowing at 7V and reached their full 300mA at 10V.
The little power supply was a common mini 3W switcher with a chip that I couldn't actually identify online. But it looks like a typical minimalist switchmode chip with primary side sensing.
At first I was ompressed at the construction, and thought the COB LED array was being pressed down tightly onto the heatsink, but latterly I noticed that the reflector sits on a ledge and may not actually be pressing it down properly.
That said, it's a very stylish lamp and its modular construction is quite pleasing.
The ebay listing for this is:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361168470262

12 thoughts on “A look inside a recent cob style light.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars koekoek says:

    I have 8 of these style spots in my bedroom ceiling for around 6 years now without any failure whatshoever, 2 different chinese brands too. Excellent

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NightshadeLenar says:

    DS1005 is a Atmicro LED switching driver w/ micro controller with a 5KB code ROM and a 1MHz MOS-FET with it capable of driving 2A loads, as a phone call to a friend always helps with missing information.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars UnderTow Hydro systems says:

    do you know if the Bestva 1200w led and sunnine cob 1200w led from ebay are anygood? just paid $310 for both two days ago and realized they were china made but stored and shipped for a CA warehouse, do you have any experience with these kind of leds?

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bjtaudio says:

    The power ratings given on ebay for the LED lamps often is the max led chip rating, the actual power is often 1/2 or even less as advertised. The switch mode power supply in most 240v Direct replacement lamps are unreliable, and do not meet safety requirements. The best solution is to move to 12V mr16 down lights and use a reliable external power supply.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pew Pew says:

    you can use that shroud as a weapon

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chlorate says:

    I picked up some of these with LES fittings – the shroud seems to be pressing down on the COB a fair bit on these ones. Glad you looked at these ones, I had a bit of a sinking feeling when I got them out of the jiffy bag and saw the aluminium housing!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nick Miller says:

    just bought 6 of these lamps, exact ones.. took em to bits, and they are identical, put a different cap and resistor by watching your videos (I've watched them all believe it or not).. now my power usage for all my lights in the house is under 100 watts 2000sq ft with floods outside…

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MallV0lli0 says:

    "i have already taken it into bits because i just couldn't resist"
    Ye, that's me

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sam Canning says:

    Hey Clive,
    Is your watt meter generic or branded, if banded which would it be?
    Also have you had a chance to open up one of Poundlands fake security dome cameras?

    Would love to know quality and expected runtime on a standard set of alkalines, also if there is any waterproofing at all.

    All the best.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JohnAudioTech says:

    I bought the 12 volt version of these. Rated 6w but it draws only about 2.6. It uses the same COB that is not properly affixed to the heatsink. I modded all of mine by replacing the COB with a Cree CXA1304 (9v version) COB LED. Much brighter and after two months, still working great.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Landrew0 says:

    Once again, the white-balance is playing tricks with the image; the emitter is alternating between yellow and white. I'm surprised that more people haven't told you that a black table is a poor choice for making videos.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wes Shaw says:

    maybe a viton oring because of the heat I don't know how hot they get. do they get very hot clive?

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