When is it worth paying extra for a branded LED work lamp?
Online marketplaces are full of cheap LED lamps for tractors and machinery. A few dozen zloty for a model with a declared power of 60W and 6000 lumens sounds attractive. To check how much truth there is in this, we tested four popular budget models in a photometric laboratory – with an integrating sphere at a voltage of 13.5V.
Measurement results
| Declared power | Declared luminous flux | Measured power | Measured luminous flux | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamp 1 | 27W | 2220 lm | 7W | 614 lm |
| Lamp 2 | 48W | 4000 lm | 9W | 968 lm |
| Lamp 3 | 60W | 6000 lm | 14W | 979 lm |
| Lamp 4 | 126W | 6300 lm | 33W | 2445 lm |
In no case did the measured power exceed half of the declared value. In three lamps it was three to four times lower. The luminous flux followed the same ratio.
What is hidden inside
We took lamp no. 4 apart after a longer period of operation. The housing temperature was 98°C. After removing the lens, the temperature on the LEDs reached 140°C – at this value the service life of LED components drops drastically. In addition, the seal at the power cable entry was imprecise: as it cools, the lamp draws in air, and moisture with it.
Are cheap lamps useless?
Not necessarily. If the lamp is to work occasionally, in dry conditions and for a short time – the discrepancy in parameters may be acceptable at this price. The problem arises when you expect performance in line with the description, or when the lamp is to work regularly, outdoors, in changing conditions.
For comparison
We tested one of the cheapest lamps in the zemot.com.pl range. Manufacturer's declaration: 8W, 650 lm. Measurement result: 8W, 694 lm. In the zemot.com.pl range you will find LED work lamps with verified parameters – spot and flood, for tractors, telehandlers and construction machinery.