Samsung boosts efficacy to 143 lm/W in new COB LED products

Published on: January 28, 2014

By Maury Wright
Editor, LEDs Magazine and Illumination in Focus

Samsung Electronics has announced that the LC series of chip-on-board (COB) LEDs now offer efficacy improvements in the range of 10% across the various color temperatures at which the components are available. The company has also added new 3500K versions of the LEDs and says that it will offer 90-CRI versions of the LEDs by mid-year.
The announcement covers the LC013B LEDs with an 11-mm light-emitting surface (LES) and the LC026B and LC040B LEDs with a 17-mm LES. As the model numbers imply, the LEDs are rated at 13W, 26W, and 40W, respectively. Samsung targets spotlights, downlights, and directional retrofit lamps including PAR and MR products with the LEDs.
Across all three product families, efficacy is now 130 lm/W at 3000K and 143 lm/W at 5000K. Those numbers are increased from 120 lm/W and 129 lm/W, respectively.
The efficacy specifications place the Samsung components in the performance neighborhood of other recent COB announcements such as the products we covered from Cree, Philips Lumileds, and Luminus Devices back in October. But based on a look at datasheets for Samsung's existing LC series of products, the touted efficacy is likely measured at a 25°C temperature. Samsung did not specify the operating temperature in the announcement. But many LED companies have begun characterizing components at higher temperatures that are more typical of operation in solid-state lighting (SSL) products.
The new models will be available in February with a CRI max of 80. The LED array technology used in the COB LEDs allows Samsung to offer components within a 3-step MacAdam ellipse. The LEDs are backed by LM-80 test data.
Samsung asserted that the LEDs are compatible with Zhaga specifications for modular light engines. In reality, Zhaga books don't specify LED technology, but the LES characteristics of the LC series allow the LEDs to be used with light engines that are based on Zhaga Books.
Samsung initially announced the LC series of products at a press conference held at the Lightfair International tradeshow in April 2013 that features both SSL end products and LED news from the company.

Link:
http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/2014/01/samsung-boosts-efficacy-to-143-lm-w-in-new-cob-led-products.html

Discovering the beauty of the Camotes Islands by accident

by Dindin Reyes Posted on 02/01/2014 3:47 AM | Updated 02/02/2014 7:17 PM

DISCOVER CAMOTES. A small group of islands in the Visayan sea, the Camotes islands are ripe for discovering.DISCOVER CAMOTES. A small group of islands in the Visayan sea, the Camotes islands are ripe for discovering. MANILA, Philippines – The words below are the writer’s account of how post-Sinulog plans gone wrong led to the accidental discovery of a hidden island paradise. It’s 7:30 am, the morning after Sinulog and I’m completely alone. By some miscommunication with my friends, I woke up at the hostel completely alone, except for some hostel roommates I had met only the day before. One thing I did not have: an itinerary. In this state of flux, I somehow managed to get an invitation to visit the Camotes islands from one of my hostel roommates. With absolutely no idea where it was in Cebu, how long it would take, and what I would see there, I responded with a resounding yes. It ended up being one of the highlights of my entire trip, though it was not without its share of hurdles, bad weather being one of them. Here are a few of my takeaways that you might find useful:

 1. The middle of nowhere is not that far

Camotes is a group of 4 islands found in the Visayan Sea. Look for it on a map and it will be the tiny speck in the middle of Cebu and Leyte. For the average traveler, the only way to get there is by ferry. For those with a lot more money to spend, locals say private planes can land on the islands. Two major ferry lines make the trip daily from the Danao Port at Danao City: Super Shuttle Ferry and the Jomalia Shipping Corporation. The latest schedules are below. Super Shuttle Ferry
 Danao Port - Poro, Camotes 1pm Poro,
Camotes - Danao Port 5pm Jomalia Shipping Corporation
Danao Port - Consuelo, Camotes 5:30am, 8:30am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:30pm, 9:00pm Consuelo,
Camotes - Danao Port 4:00am, 5:30am, 9:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm
If you want to catch that ferry, be there at least an hour before because the schedules aren’t set in stone. Basing it on the weather, the authorities decide if the trip will push through and what time the ferry will depart. In my experience, the trip took approximately 5 hours. From Cebu, my new friend and I took a public van to Danao City and a pedicab to the Danao port. Because of the huge waves, the ferry ride totaled 4 hours, though it usually lasts for two. After hours surrounded by nervous passengers speaking in a dialect I didn’t understand, you can imagine my happiness when the Canlusong port came into view. On a normal trip though, boats usually dock at the Consuelo port in the island of Pacijan. Lesson learned: the middle of nowhere is not that far, but you still have to check the weather right before you get there, especially since you’re traveling by sea.

2. Be prepared to be mostly self-sufficient

THE SIMPLE LIFE. Traveling to Camotes will prompt you to go back to the basics with their small roadside sari-sari stores and limited means of transportation.THE SIMPLE LIFE. Traveling to Camotes will prompt you to go back to the basics with their small roadside sari-sari stores and limited means of transportation. Many of us may be more attached to city living than we think. Stepping on land, we were immediately approached by people all saying the same thing: “Sugat?” In Filipino, “sugat” means “wound” but in the local dialect, it apparently refers to your ride. The men approaching us were motorcycle drivers. Motorcycles, locally called habal-habal, are the main means of transportation in the islands. There are no jeeps, no taxis, and few cars. Our habal-habal was good enough for the two of us and our huge backpacks, but it’s a good idea to pack light. Like in other places frequented by tourists, the island was equipped with convenience stores and Internet shops. Still, keep in mind that most of the stores in Camotes are stocked with only the bare essentials, so if you have some other items you are unable to live without, get them at Cebu City. Be prepared.

 3. Reserve at least a day for seeing the sights Not only had I discovered Camotes by accident, but I was also to stumble upon its other sightseeing spots by chance. The bad weather postponed our trip back, giving us an extra day to explore. My travel companion and I were blessed with a chatty habal-habal driver and after spending a few hours with him, we trusted him enough to let him handle the itinerary. Zipping to and fro across fields and houses, we were able to see his favorite places in Camotes: Lake Danao, the Holy Crystal Cave, Timubo Cave, and Santiago white beach. PreviousNext Next Previous Image Next Image LAKE DANAO, CAMOTES. A freshwater lake found in San Francisco island, Lake Danao is a good place to try kayaking. Biking and hiking paths are also found in the Lake Danao Park. There are more places to see in the Camotes islands but if you’re running on limited time, a day will be enough. Plus it gives you an excuse to keep coming back. It’s worth the trip.

 4. Meet the locals As in any place you go, it’s best to speak up and find out about the place from the people who live there. Aside from our habal-habal driver, we made friends with people who worked in restaurants, jewelry vendors, and hotel receptionists. They gave us good advice for future trips to Camotes, and even invited us to lodge in their house for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. For the curious, it’s the best way to explore the culture and lifestyle people adapt to in this part of town. MEET THE LOCALS. Camotes is full of interesting people, like this artisan from Santiago beach who sells unique ornaments and pieces of jewelry from wood, bone, crystal and clay.MEET THE LOCALS. Camotes is full of interesting people, like this artisan from Santiago beach who sells unique ornaments and pieces of jewelry from wood, bone, crystal and clay.

5. Draw up a plan. Then draw up plan B, C, and D. The only plan we ever deliberately made was to leave Camotes the day after we arrived for fear of being stranded. Since the element of surprise played its hand during this trip, our worst fears came true and we were delayed because of bad weather. Paying for the lack of foresight, my friend had to rebook her flight and we had to look for a new place to stay for the night. Dealing with the delay, my friend and I got priority passes from the ticket vendors before leaving the port. A priority pass guarantees you’ll be able to buy a ticket to the first ferry out of the islands the next day, despite the number of people. The following morning, we were at the port at 3:30 am. At 4:30 am, we got our ticket out. Uncertainty can be fun, but it’s not exactly for everyone.The Philippines is constantly affected by tropical depressions, low pressure areas and typhoons – a small group of islands in the middle of the sea will definitely feel the impact of bad weather. So if you’re going to the Camotes islands, have a backup plan for your backup plan. I like to describe myself as the most boring adventurous person I know. The unexpected always comes with a little fear. But surrendering to spontaneity on this trip to Camotes islands paid off in spades. Good people, new friends, and getting to see the beautiful, isolated paradise of Camotes were all part of the best kind of accident that could occur while I was on this particular trip. –Rappler.com

Source:
http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/49402-discovering-beauty-the-camotes-islands-by-accident-san-francisco-santiago-timubo-cave-danao-sinulog