Bubble in the dome?

[Ty_Bower]

If I understand correctly, both the low and high dome Luxeons are built out of a light emitting die, mounted on a heatsinking slug, covered with a silicone-filled glass dome.

Sometimes the silicone squeezes out from under the dome, and appears as "farkle", but that is a whole separate issue from what I think I see.

My dome (a low dome star) seems to have a bubble or something underneath it. I thought at first it might be a smear of silicone on top of the glass, but when it didn't wipe off I decided it must be underneath.

Has anyone else seen anything like this?

 

[IsaacHayes]

Yes, I have a bubble in my HD Q3J luxeon. Reflectors will make the nicest beam, other wise there will be a dark spot with optics. Manufacturing error. Or if you break the dome off or press to hard it can ooze out and then fill with air.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ty Bower,

I had a 5 watt LED light that died on me. When I sent it back I was told there was a bubble that caused the death. It was replaced under warranty.

Tom

 

[Ty_Bower]

SilverFox,

Interesting. Unfortunately, I've got just the star (not a whole flashlight). Considering it is just a raw part, not a finished product, I'm not sure if I can send it back for warranty replacement.

Against my better judgement, I've already soldered leads onto the star. It does cast a bit of a dark spot, even with a reflector. I'm wondering if I should try to pursue this further, or if I should just chalk it up to the Luxeon lottery.

I don't think the flaw is going to cause the emitter to quit. I wonder why they said the bubble killed your 5 watter?

 

[Justintoxicated]

I have found SEVERAL luxeons with bubbles and just use them anyways /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

Last order 3 out of 5 hand bubbles and I did not notice for a few months because they were Star-Os /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm fiding out how difficult it is to find a good one..

1st it has to be a good Bin Brightness and good bin voltage
2nd it can't have any bubbles
3rd the dice MUST be centered....

So far I have NEVER gotten a good luxeon by this definition lol...

 

[IsaacHayes]

If the bubble or air touches the phosphur/die/etc I suppose it could fail. if it's up high enough and the expansion of air from heat doesn't affect anything, then it probably is fine.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ty Bower,

I believe the bubble in my LED was right at the die. It was doing fine, then I turned it on and nothing happened. It was gone. I had about 10 hours on it.

Tom