[sdiy] high output LED question - somewhat OT

[J. Larry Hendry]

I need to draw on the expertise of anyone in the group concerning LEDs.  OT,
cause it is not actually a synth project.  But, it is DIY.

I have some of those solar powered walk lights that charge up the batteries
by day and discharge by night.  trouble is, the LED is just not bright
enough.  I opened it up and found a quite simple circuit using a transistor
to turn on the LED biased by another which keeps it off when there is
sufficient voltage from the solar cells (which must mean daylight).  The
battery voltage is abut 2.4 volts fully charged.  And that will delver about
6 mA into the LED.

The current flow path through the LED has no resistance.  Only the junctions
and internal battery impedance limit the current flow.  So, I really have no
way to increase the current to the LED other than starting over with the
circuit (higher voltage, more cells, etc.)  I'm not going there.

So, to accomplish my goal of more light, I wish to replace the existing LED
with one that is much more efficient in the amount of light produced for
that mount of current.  I'm headed off to Mouser to search through LED specs
and see if I can learning anything.  Any suggestions concerning LED
selection criteria would be greatly appreciated.

Larry Hendry (would rather be working on my synth than this particular
"honey-do")