High Power LED FAQ/Intro/Howto?

[yardleydobon]

Can someone point me to an introduction to high power LEDs?

I looking for info on the proper way to:
Solder them
Electrical isolate
Use thermal adhesive/grease
Attach to a heat sink
Put in an enclosure

Thanks

 

[yellow]

decide on what battery and driver to use,
then get a cheap light from DX, working as a host,
open it and inspect the interior, shows how everything should be installed (there is minimum care, You can always add more)

get the led mounted on star base --> no need to isolate, easier to solder, easier to mount.
put thermal grease under star and work it in, fix with screws.

 

[HarryN]

I think the place to start if you really want to understand power LEDs and their use is with their data sheets. I suggest going to the web sites for Lumileds and Cree and reading everything you can their products.

If you want the abridged version, I suggest looking through the "sticky thread" K2 and K2 TFFC Technical Thread above, and following the links in the thread. Literally everything you are asking about is published in those data sheets. I am not saying that the K2 is the best or only LED to look at, but 90% of the information in their data sheets will apply to every brand of power LED you want to work with.

Good luck with the "light reading".

Harry

 

[yardleydobon]

I think this post is a good introduction.

http://www.electro-tech-online.com/...-high-brightness-leds-thermal-management.html