Has anyone reduced an led board?

[cytoe]

this one: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4622

I mistakenly ordered this (should have ordered the unmounted ones), but need to arrange them to fit a quintuple lens. I have not received them yet, so I can't see them close up. I'm wondering if the it's safe to dremel away some of the board on each side. Is it obvious where the wires to the emitter are connected? thanks!

 

[TorchBoy]

Is it obvious where the wires to the emitter are connected? thanks!

Do you mean the tracks on the board? Yes, they extend to the left and right from the top end of the Rebel.

 

[cytoe]

Actually, where the leads are connected to the tracks...If I know where the the connections are, maybe I can grind the sides down (including part of the tracks)

 

[LightBeing]

If you mean Printed Circuit board (PCB) - you would need to be very careful as the traces are right on the surface. I don't know how you could make the board any thinner if that is what you mean. It would likely ruin the board. Use a magnifier and you should be able to see what can or cannot be ground down a bit. Maybe it would be better to leave it as is and sell it here then get the right size.

 

[mahoney]

You can trim a star, I've done so a few times, just be carefull to remove any burrs in the area of the traces that could short the traces to the aluminium heatsink board, and test for lack of continuity between the traces and the heatsink before putting the LED in service. If you trim off all the "official" contact area, carefully scrape off the top insulating layer from a trace where you wnat to solder your leads on.

 

[TorchBoy]

I've just figured out what's been bugging me about this thread. Since the LED board is made of aluminium you would have to oxidise it, not reduce it!

 

[Illum]

I've just figured out what's been bugging me about this thread. Since the LED board is made of aluminium you would have to oxidise it, not reduce it!

I stared blankly for awhile before I started laughing

mahoney, I've never trimmed a star base before...what tool do you use?
I just sand it with fine grit until the edge is eliminated...which takes time, patience, and elbow grease

 

[Lightingguy321]

I've just figured out what's been bugging me about this thread. Since the LED board is made of aluminium you would have to oxidise it, not reduce it!

Good to know someone knows their chemistry/chemical properties.

 

[mahoney]

I have a little hand powered sheet metal nibbler that opens just wide enough to trim a star, I finish up with a file and sandpaper. Carefull use of sturdy tinsnips would probably work too. A coarse file removes material fairly fast, I try not to file in a direction that would cause the traces and insulation to lift off the star.