Cree emitter removal?

[kevinm]

Hey guys,

How do I get a Cree off of a star? Is it like pulling a Luxeon emitter or no? I was thinking just solder wick out the solder and slide it off, but I thought I'd ask before destroying one.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[aml]

desolder, but then the emitter itself may be thermal epoxied onto the star.

Nothing that a pneumatic chisel cant take care of.

 

[Lighthouse one]

Probably better to just buy some bare emitters...I bought 2, but found I like stars better.

 

[nightrider]

CPF member Julian Holtz posted this cool video a while back of removing a Cree from a star and reflow soldering it onto some copper. Turn up the volume and hear how cool he is while doing this.

I would have burned myself for sure.

Julian's my hero everytime I watch this video!

 

[LumenHound]

Makes it look easy. Preparation is key.
That now unpopulated star sizzles and smokes nicely when it finally gets pulled off the stovetop burner.

 

[Lumbee1]

CPF member Julian Holtz posted this cool video a while back of removing a Cree from a star and reflow soldering it onto some copper. Turn up the volume and hear how cool he is while doing this.

I would have burned myself for sure.

Julian's my hero everytime I watch this video!

That video is awesome. I just picked up some stars for cheap (really wanted emitters) and I didn't know how to remove them easily.

 

[kevinm]

Hey, wait, I'm being dumb! Why remove the emitter fro a star, make a heatsink, and then reattach when I can just grind the star?

Thanks guys.

Kevin

 

[stoven]

Just heat the star with a heat gun or hair dryer until the Cree just pops off. Since the contacts are on the bottom of the Cree you will have to do some masking to keep from shorting out the emitter if when you attach it to your own heat sink.

 

[LumenHound]

Hey, wait, I'm being dumb! Why remove the emitter fro a star, make a heatsink, and then reattach when I can just grind the star?

Thanks guys.

Kevin

Grinding a star will generate a boatload of heat if done too fast and the emitter may be damaged if it is overheated for a prolonged period of time.

Grind slowly and check for excessive heat often.

 

[TMorita]

Just heat the star with a heat gun or hair dryer until the Cree just pops off. Since the contacts are on the bottom of the Cree you will have to do some masking to keep from shorting out the emitter if when you attach it to your own heat sink.

If I'm not mistaken, solder melts around 700 degrees F.

Have you actually tried removing a Cree emitter with a hair dryer?

Toshi

 

[LumenHound]

If I'm not mistaken, solder melts around 700 degrees F.

Toshi

I think you are referring to soldering iron tip temperature and not solder melting point?

The common 63/37 electronic solder (63% tin, 37% lead) melts at only 361 F/183 C.