Buckpuck or resistor?

[DrakoniamX]

I'm going to be using a Red/Orange Lux III which is needs 1400mA. For people who have had experiences, should i use 2 700mA buckpucks, or a 2.2ohm 5w resistor? And why?

[Jay-gon Jinn]

I'd use the resistor, but that's just me....two buck pucks adds $30 to the cost of the build....one resistor is only $0.66.

[DrakoniamX]

Yea i would do the same, i just wasnt sure if the buckpucks were better or not, thanks!! I'd go with your word since you've build so many sabers

[lectricpharaoh]

It may be possible to use a 500mA micropuck and a 1000mA buckpuck. I'm not sure if the mixing of different outputs would cause a problem when wiring the pucks in parallel, but if it works, it would give you an output current of 1500mA, instead of 1400. Since the Lux in question has a max drive current of 1540mA, this would get you closer to the maximum brightness.

Again, I am not sure it is safe to wire differently-rated pucks together, so do some research before trying this, or get the opinion of someone with a bit more electronics savvy.

Oh, another reason to take this approach (assuming it's workable) is that a micropuck is a little cheaper. Unfortunately, they're not offered on Tim's store (probably because they're used mainly for Lux Star I LEDs, which aren't as bright as many would like), but Google is your friend.

[DrakoniamX]

The lux im using has a max output of 1400. And i'm just going to use a resistor but thanks!! And mods can close this because i've found my answer, thanks!!!

[Sairon]

Most leds can take more than they need, it's called overdriving. Even with overdriving an led can last well over twenty years if it doesn't blow up for some reason.

[vargose]

Just use a resistor. Much cheaper option. I only use buck pucks for 1000ma LEDs.

[Dendore]

Why would the amperage of the LED matter? So that you are closer to max amps on the LED for best brightness? If you get a resistor that gives you roughly the same amperage as the buckpuck is there a difference? More efficient? If so, how much longer would 4 AAA batteries last on a buckpuck vs a resistor?

[Kal El Rah]

Dendore, the puck keeps the current constant till the batts are almost depleted.

[Amanita]

I'm looking to build a new saber, using a Seoul P4 white LED. Would it be worth my while to use a Buckpuck to increase brightness? Which size should I use? Or will I get the same brightness with a resistor?

I want to increase the brightness some- I have a garden-variety lux III blue saber that I built some time ago using a TCSS electronics kit, and in terms of brightness it lags behind my guardian blue Ultrasabers Liberator.
So is it worth the extra 15 bucks for a buckpuck, or will simply using a Seoul P4 give me the extra brightness I need?