Calling all DIY LED builders for some tips

VicZA

VicZA

Joined
7 Jul 2013
Posts
997
Reaction score
9
Location
Nelspruit
Hey all DIYers,

Can you please share ideas and tips on how you secure your Chip LED onto the alluminium heatsinks ? I am obviously talking about the "star-shaped" unit with the chip already mounted. Screws, putty, glue, etc .... please tips and tricks (with pics would be awesome)

Thanks

Victor
 
I used heatsink paste on the Alluminium with a spot of silicone on the side to mount the heatsink to my frame and heatsink paste under the led and solder to hold it to the heatsink
 
use Artic silver paste, sticks well and works great

can use normal tank silicone
 
its the same thing, used to mount heatsinks on CPU's
 
Also used the 2 part thermal adhesive from arctic
 
Drill a small pilot hole, and use some PC screws for HDD's. It's so small that the screw will make it's own thread.
Obviously be realistic, don't drill a 1mm hole for a 6mm screw.
 
Last edited:
CameL said:
Drill a small pilot hole, and use some PC screws for HDD's. It's so small that the screw will make it's own thread.
Obviously be realistic, don't drill a 1mm hole for a 6mm screw.
Click to expand...

Though this idea is more labour intensive, I like it. Also saw some guys in other forums mention that they use acrylic washers to make sure there is no possibility of short-circuit but I wouldn't know where to get that from
 
I did the screw thing and it does take longer to do but when the leds pop it makes replacing really easy. On my next build I'll use silicone and see how it goes. Another thing is make sure u make a splash screen. Salt spray is a beech for leds
 
Last edited:
Ricky did you use nylon washers ? What screws did you use and where did you get them ? Will definitely make a splash screen (perspex)
 
Last edited:
VicZA said:
Ricky did you use nylon washers ? What screws did you use and where did you get them ? Will definitely make a splash screen (perspex)
Click to expand...

Polycarb (2mm) is the best easy to find splash screen IMO. If you use screws, be careful not to put too much strain on the LED PCB, it might cause them to fail in the long run.
 
I got small stainless screws but u need to make pilot holes first. Silicon will be easier and doesnt not get affected by heat at all.
 
Hey buddy, I might be old school, but this is what I did: bore two pilot holes for every led and then I bought stainless screws from Mr Screw in PE. After putting on some heat paste, I used a normal paper punch and made a lot of holes in the plastic of a 2 litre milk bottle. Pinch a small hole right in the middle of every plastic disc to create a plastic washer (it prevents short)
Only after this time consuming job will I solder the wires on.
If you're in PE, pop in and have a look at my unit. It's been running for almost 2 years without any trouble.
 
I see that you're in Nelspruit, so I'll try and find a pic for you
 
What I did, read on a pc junky forum guys use it for pc components getting way hotter than leds is to put a small dot of thermal paste, normal not the expensive stuff, in the middle of the led and a metal super glue (most stick to metal) around that, glued it on and getting good thermal conductivity since my heat sink gets quite hot.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom