Cree bar

Hi all,
I am toying with the idea of making a cree bar for a either a fixed lighting or a portable light. I have the XR-E emitters but need to source all the rest.

What to I need exactly? I have noted the folowing :
- the strip MCPCB
- the cree bar itselft (heasink)
- the cree bar "kit" including the covers etc
- a xitanium converter or some other regulation circuit

Last but not least : can I reflow solder my emitters to the MCPCB? Can I do it at home in my oven? Can I do it with a good soldering iron?

Thanks for any tip and info

If they are stars, you can reflow with a good iron (think more than 20W at the very least) but more likely a gun-type would be good for reflowing. You could also always use the stove if you have one of those neat flat-top ceramic stoves... Just use very little solder, or use paste if you can.

No the CREE that I have are XR-E emitters, not stars.

Do you think I can solder the emitters to the strip MCPCB with solder and a soldering iron? Or is it mandatory to reflow them on the strip with solder paste?

tino_ale said:

No the CREE that I have are XR-E emitters, not stars.

Do you think I can solder the emitters to the strip MCPCB with solder and a soldering iron? Or is it mandatory to reflow them on the strip with solder paste?

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It will be very very difficult with just a soldering iron. You'll need a hot plate or an oven and reflow the emitters on. That's what I would recommend. The center pad of the LED is not accessible from the topside and can only be reflowed.

Wayne

Thanks for the advise.
I'm going to give it a try.