This looks extremely promising. After reading CREE's press release I searched for the CXA3590s too with no luck. Seems like most places say these have a 1-year backorder.
Supra,
I'm a complete noob, but really interested in mimicking this type design since it looks fairly straight forward and efficient. Once you've got it all sussed out, do you think you could make a how-to for newbies like myself? I'm no engineer but am pretty good with a soldering iron.
Also what did the BOM end up costing you?
Sure thing, if you can run an iron you can build a sweet lamp. I think it is a great idea to make a simplified guide to make it more accessible.
Bill of materials for a 50W 42.6% efficient lamp something along these lines:
CXA3070 X 2 = $82
Heatsink 10.08" X 6" X 2.8" = $43 ($171 shipped for 4, heatsink USA)
700mA driver X 2 = $24
Misc materials:
Prolimatech PK3 or similar (eBay)
Kapton tape (eBay)
Zinc chain (Walmart or Amazon)
50V hookup wire for LED string 18ga (or use 600V wire from old xmas lights) (elecdirect)
600V wire for AC connections 18ga (elecdirect)
slide connectors .25" (bare, crimp on) (elecdirect.com)
heatshrink tubing .25" (elecdirect.com)
Solder 63/37 lead (amazon)
Solder flux gel syringe - MG chemicals ($10 eBay/Amazon) (this really helps)
tools needed:
cordless drill (harbor freight $15)
heavy duty crimper/cutter/stripper (walmart ebay amazon)
soldering iron (60w eBay $10)
recommended:
GFCI (eBay $7)
sand paper to lap heatsink surface (3M home depot)