swimmer4uus
Member
Got some sample LEDs in today. Waiting to get another 5 to setup my first test string.
Diy led
- Thread starter swimmer4uus
- Start date
swimmer4uus
Member
Guess who got his heat sinks in today.
swimmer4uus
Member
Just a little busy work while I wait for packages to come in the mail.
swimmer4uus
Member
Packages 5 and 6 of 10 came in the mail today
Just waiting on the LEDs. I still have to buy the blues. My girlfriend said she was going to buy them, and my birthday is next month...idk if I can wait though.
swimmer4uus
Member
Question. Linking to companies that don't compete with SWF in this forum. There's a couple companies I've ordered my stuff from, and some websites, that don't compete with SWF, other than they have electrical components. Can a MOD or anyone else tell me if they will allow that in this thread, as some people will probably have questions where to get stuff, or even questions on what particular parts will work?
swimmer4uus
Member
Teaser
wangotango
Active Member
Nice to finally see a LED build going on here.
scsinet
Active Member
Originally Posted by swimmer4uus
http:///forum/post/3227563
Question. Linking to companies that don't compete with SWF in this forum. There's a couple companies I've ordered my stuff from, and some websites, that don't compete with SWF, other than they have electrical components. Can a MOD or anyone else tell me if they will allow that in this thread, as some people will probably have questions where to get stuff, or even questions on what particular parts will work?
Sorry, but links to all retail sites are a no-no.
You can refer to them by telling people how to google to get to the stuff, but no direct linking.
http:///forum/post/3227563
Question. Linking to companies that don't compete with SWF in this forum. There's a couple companies I've ordered my stuff from, and some websites, that don't compete with SWF, other than they have electrical components. Can a MOD or anyone else tell me if they will allow that in this thread, as some people will probably have questions where to get stuff, or even questions on what particular parts will work?
Sorry, but links to all retail sites are a no-no.
You can refer to them by telling people how to google to get to the stuff, but no direct linking.
swimmer4uus
Member
Cool. I guess I'll have to do that. I'm making a writeup with pictures, so in there I'll reference my sources
swimmer4uus
Member
Well, if anyone is wondering what happens when you overdrive your LEDs too much, I found out today. Lost 2 of my test LEDs. Let me explain
I'm messing around with different combinations of colors today with my test LEDs. Simply because if everything went right, I'd be using all the leftovers to make a fuge light. Well, soldered 3 1w LEDs, then another. So now I have 2 sets of 3 1w LEDs. Was going to out a 3w blue in the middle, seeing that color combo and whatnot. I'm testing all these with 6V batteries. Take 2 6V batteries, connect them in series so I'll have a 12V source. The idiot in me goes ok, lets see if the circuit actually runs current. Touch the + of the battery to the + of one of the 1w sets, then the - of the battery to the - of the set....boom! Bright flash, and then nothing....I now have 3 huge sun spots on my eyes, and 2 blown 1w LEDs
I'm messing around with different combinations of colors today with my test LEDs. Simply because if everything went right, I'd be using all the leftovers to make a fuge light. Well, soldered 3 1w LEDs, then another. So now I have 2 sets of 3 1w LEDs. Was going to out a 3w blue in the middle, seeing that color combo and whatnot. I'm testing all these with 6V batteries. Take 2 6V batteries, connect them in series so I'll have a 12V source. The idiot in me goes ok, lets see if the circuit actually runs current. Touch the + of the battery to the + of one of the 1w sets, then the - of the battery to the - of the set....boom! Bright flash, and then nothing....I now have 3 huge sun spots on my eyes, and 2 blown 1w LEDs
swimmer4uus
Member
So Feb 6th I paid for my LEDs. They where shipped out on the Feb 11th from Honk Kong. Chinese new year was the 14th. Today, I have yet to recieve my LEDs, and there are NO tracking updates. Would you guys file a claim, or wait a little? I sent an email to them so hopefully they can get back to me soon.
wangotango
Active Member
Where did you order them from? Two weeks is still a long time to go without any updates though...
number1gsxxr
Member
IME from buying junk flashlights and other stuff from Hong Kong is it takes a while. 3-4 weeks easy. I'd wait a bit longer (it's all you can do right?). They'll probably be here in another few days.
swimmer4uus
Member
Guess what came in today!
swimmer4uus
Member
Got the first half of the LEDs on the heatsink. Tomorrow I'll get some more wire to solder them together. I've got an essay due tonight otherwise I'd try to get them done. Still waiting on my POTs, resistors, thermisters, and the blues.
swimmer4uus
Member
Well it's getting closer and closer. Tomorrow I'll do some work on it before I head to work. Maybe. I have a pretty important midterm on Thurs. Friday I for sure have off of work, so hopefully by then my last resistors will come in and I can start soldering up the driver circuits. Once those are done, it will be time to fire up all the LEDs at once.
I need to figure out what's up with my soldering gun/probe. I'm melting a lot of the wire's plastic insulation. Tested with cutting away more, but I don't like how it looks with wire showing.
I need to figure out what's up with my soldering gun/probe. I'm melting a lot of the wire's plastic insulation. Tested with cutting away more, but I don't like how it looks with wire showing.
reefraff
Active Member
I haven't started soldering yet but have read up and most people are suggesting using a 40 to 60 watt iron and applying solder to the pad and wire separately then use the iron to fuse the two together. Supposedly requires less heating so you don't damage the chip or insulation.
swimmer4uus
Member
Yeah, that's what I'm doing. Figured out why it was burning the insulation. I was putting the solder in too fast. My next solders are much cleaner. Also, I can already tell the heatsink is doing it's job. The solder is cool to the touch SECONDS after I pull the heat away. As well as the LED. My test LEDs (which where 1w) where HOT for a couple mins after. These guys I pull the heat off, blow on the new connection, then touch it. Totally cold.