Just for fun, I've tested this "efficiency issue" out to 25 Volts or so. That is the equivalent of about 8 LEDs in series. I checked 3 points of clamping; 2V, 12V, and 25V.
For this test, I created a "self-controlled switch", i.e. like a diode or LED, made from a Switch part in SPICE. The Switch parameters are as follows:
RON = 40 Ohms ROFF = 1M Ohm VON = 2V, 12V, and 25V VOFF= VON-2V
This switch part produces realistic results compared to the LED part I was previously using, only it is far easier to use than the LED.
Here are the results:
LED: 2VON, 0VOFF Vbat BAT:57.4, LED:16.07, n=28%
Gnd BAT:62.24, LED:34.77, n=55.86%
LED: 12VON, 10VOFF Vbat BAT:81.0, LED:22.40, n=27.65%
Gnd BAT:82.83, LED:24.72, n=29.84%
LED: 25VON, 23VOFF Vbat BAT:83.3, LED:22.10, n=26.53%
Gnd BAT:84.3, LED:23.12, n=27.43%
It would appear that the results support my earlier remark that the efficiencies don't equalize until both are at 0%. These tests, if valid, indicate that for every case (any number of series LEDs) the n will be higher with the GND connection. Wave forms can be posted on request.
Simulation note: When simulating with high threshold voltages (i.e. > 8V) , the "minimum step size" must be set to 3ns or less, in order for the simulation to run properly, otherwise it can not sample the high transients present.
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