Resistors are fine for short bench testing, but are inadequate for continuously powering Luxeon or other high power LEDs. Overdriving a high power LED, even briefly, will significantly reduce it's life and light output. To protect your LED investment, you should seriously consider using an electronic driver that is specifically designed to regulating current for high power LEDs.
LED Power Drivers are:
- Extremely efficient - unlike resistors, they run cool
- Provides precise current regulation and protection regardless of the input voltage
- Make it easy to dim the LED with just a potentiometer
- Are available with 350mA, 700mA and 1000mA outputs
- Are just as easy to use as a resistor
Learn more about the LED drivers that we have available here.
If you are looking to determine what size of resistor you should be using for short bench testing of high power or standard LEDs, the LED Center website offers an excellent online resistor calculator here.
