I bought some of these 3W RGB colour changing LEDs from eBay to check out. Rather predictably they are not actually 3W at all, but use a typical 1W/3W "bead" package to mount the standard arrangement of chip and three LEDs found in standard 3/5/8/10mm RGB flashing LEDs.
The use of the larger base actually allows the chips to be spread wider internally and gives a fairly good mix of light. I suppose that with the better heatsinking of the chip and LEDs a slightly higher voltage could be applied to these to run them a bit harder.
If you enjoy the videos on this channel you can help support it with a dollar for coffee, cookies and odd LEDs at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

17 thoughts on “Self colour changing 3w leds.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ZaneofAustin says:

    did you manage to find a serial number or anything?
    been trying to look for these recently, to mod a ps3 controller, not sure about the voltages though
    but there are "player lights" 1-4
    and i want them to be rgb and this seems like the most fitting solution.
    the other ones i've found are all single color, or voltage regulated sadly

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Marshall-Thornhill says:

    That's a shame, I was hoping this video was about stick-on googly eyes

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tomáš Neuwirth says:

    I've found by chance one of them in a fake cemetary candle, the glowing and the color changing was used to simulate the real flame.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars komal chouhan says:

    How to buy , give me buy link

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tech 'N' Travel says:

    It's used in toys… The 5mm sized ones…

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Zsombor99 says:

    Yeah this is the annoying type of color changing LED! 👎
    The good type just fades between colors, nothing else! 😊

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Thahira Safiudeen says:

    This LEDs are so much stressful things if it is used in normal electronic or electrical product as an indicator. These can not be used in any designed also as we can not program it to flash according to our need rather than manufacturer’ s taste of the random sequence and randomly changing flashing speed ,etc. I bought one TV antenna which had build in booster. The manufacturer used one such LED also as booster power indicator. It was so much stressful and annoying. I had to remove .

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hadley Scott McIntyre says:

    Are they bright?

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pardeep Mahto says:

    Khamelega

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott King says:

    Please can you explain how the colour changing 5mm leds work as there is no chip inside ?

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric Chen says:

    What chip is running these things? I seem to see the same flash pattern in every cheap LED product.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars D Dragon says:

    I can't help but think having the chip built-in is a bit of an own-goal on the design. If a randomly colour changing LED is what's desired then it works convulsingly well…But swap the chip for three contact pads and you don't just drive down production costs, but you make a more versatile/adaptable product in the process! 🙂

    I mean: If "flashy flashy randy colour" is the order of the day, an external micro controller costs £0.03 and doesn't require that much extra solder! ^_^

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars B.W. Oostdam says:

    Dear Clive, I do have an applciation for these types of LED's. The are quite good for lighting white sportscones for a Quadcopter race-track. I do have one question though. As they are not 3watt but very much less, do the chips inside all have the exact same pattern. So when you start more than 1 at the same time will they be and stay in sync ?
    Thank you very much for your always entertaining and informative videos!

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Evergreen641 says:

    Use = little annoying robot eyes?

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars VFORVENOM says:

    It goes through a kind of slow flash and then the really fast flash. There isn't too many uses for them, other than making some Christmas type decoration or something like that. If I had them I would just solder like 20 of them to a round flat base and then put a translucent lava lamp type shape thing over them which should be about 60cm tall. Then it may while they are all flashing their crazy colours together create a nice effect on the translucent surface and look pretty.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Arno nümuss says:

    Fun, now make epilepsy testing goggles with them ;P

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JOE Blow says:

    Here's a use…….(TV simulator ) to keep the thefts at bay in the wee hours 🙂
    Cheers

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