Tri-Cluster LED Modules

Tri-Cluster LED Modules, retail $(see below) (http://www.berkeleypoint.com)
Manufactured by SUNCOR Stainless (http://www.suncorstainless.com)
Last updated 04-16-03

Tri-Cluster lights


Tri-Cluster LED modules are heavy-duty, all-metal, white LED lighting fixtures utilising a cluster of 3 wide-angle 3mm white Nichia LEDs. They come in brass and type 316 stainless steel, they're weatherproof, and submersible to at least several feet so they can be used in pools, fountains, & hot tubs.

Power is supplied by any source of 12 volts DC you can think of - disposable or rechargeable batteries, solar accumulators, the cigarette plug in your car, wall wart transformer, just about anything. Each one only uses 20 milliamps (mA) so they can be run even from a handful of very small batteries if you need that ability.



Tri-Cluster modules come pre-wired, and ready to hook up and go.
Mounting them is up to you, and there are countless ways to mount these, along with available accessories to help you along; including mounting rings, garden stakes, flexible "goose neck" type material, small pipe nipples, you name it.

The URL listed above (berkeleypoint.com) has a comprehensive listing of all the various accessories and mountings plus the different Tri-Cluster products themselves.



Because the Tri-Cluster modules do not use self-contained batteries, this section is not needed.



Tri-Cluster LED modules are very rugged and durable, and come in solid brass or 316 stainless steel (corrosionproof/rustproof) for marine usage. All of them can be used indoors our outdoors; however the finish on the brass versions will dull somewhat and develop a "patina" after extended exposure to the elements. This is often a desirable characteristic; though you can clear coat or even paint them if you don't want the natural greenish patina to emerge. In no case however, will the LEDs themselves be affected.

In order to fully evaluate & exploit the samples I was provided with, I'll need to dig up my old drill & bits and mount them in various locations. The landlord certainly can't stop me from carving up & drilling holes in my own furniture. :)
Although my housing situation prevents a permanent outdoor installation, I will mount a couple of Tri-Clusters in a semi-outside flowerbox later on, probably sometime in April when it's warm enough to put the box outside the window. They will get rained on, watered when the plants get watered, and also receive a few hours of direct late afternoon/early evening sun exposure each day between May and August. They will suckle off a 12VDC wall wart 24 hours a day for the entire duration of the test.


Tri-Cluster lights
Bolt-style Tri-Cluster

Tri-Cluster lights Tri-Cluster lights
Left: Articulating Tri-Cluster stalk. Mounting plate is not normally used with it.
Right: Assorted Tri-Clusters in the hand for size scale.

The inappropriately named 'Undre Arms' apartments
A building that could really use some of these - just don't put them over the sign. :-)
The Undre Arms apartment complex was "discovered" on 11th Ave. just east of Seattle.


beam image
Smooth, even beam from the Tri-Cluster lights.
Intensity measurement to be done shortly.



TEST NOTES:
I am currently considering a number of locations to mount the Tri-Cluster samples for testing. Just hooking them up to a lab supply doesn't do them justice.


UPDATE: 05-28-02
I have installed several of these modules in my semi-outdoor "garden", where they will remain until after autumn begins. I had to wait for warmer weather before I could even put the "garden" out, and our weather has been too cold until just this week. A new MicroStar, a Tri-Cluster on an articulating stalk, and a Tri-Cluster "bolt" have been placed amongst the plantings, along with a newly-received 9-LED cluster (which will receive its own page). All of the products are connected to a "wall wart" that outputs exactly 12 volts DC under the load imposed by the installation, and they will not be disconnected again until next fall.
I am still looking for the Tri-Cluster brass ball, and once that is found and placed in the installation, and all of the connections will be soldered & sealed.


3rd floor garden window backlighted by Tri-Clusters & MicroStars. Our building has no window ledges or balconies, so I had to fudge it by making a shelf supported from the inside, so the window has to stay open 24/7. That's why I had to wait until the weather warmed above 50°F before I could begin this installation.

UPDATE: 07-29-02
This is a brass Tri-Cluster ball that has been painted with a black gloss paint with a clear overcoat; this overcoat contains colorful, metallic "sprinkles" which gives the unit a cool, retro look.


The remaining Tri-Cluster modules have been in the outside window garden all summer, and they continue to work quite well.


PROS:
Small things can be hidden almost anywhere
Versatile power supply options
Low current drain (20mA at 12V each)
Tough little f***ers
Long lifetime of LEDs
Waterproof


CONS:
Could be a bit brighter
Not self-powered - but they aren't supposed to be


    MANUFACTURER: Suncor Stainless
    PRODUCT TYPE: Metal, weatherproof LED modules
    LAMP TYPE: White LED, 3mm
    No. OF LAMPS: 3
    BEAM TYPE: Medium with smooth fall-off
    SWITCH TYPE: N/A
    BEZEL: Recessed LEDs
    BATTERY: N/A
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 20 milliamps @ 12V
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: Yes; see text article
    ACCESSORIES: See text article
    WARRANTY: Not stated

    RATING:










Tri-Cluster LED Modules * WWW.BERKELEYPOINT.COM






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