How do I do an LED swap?

[lateralus180]

I have built, modded, and overclocked computers before. I have never modded an LED flashlight or other electronics though, and my understanding of electricity is very basic.

Are these steps correct? Please let me know if I am missing any steps, or if you have any tips or advice. If anything here is wrong please correct me! Thanks!

1. Disassemble the light head so the LED, +, and - wires are visible
2. Heat the soldered connections with a soldering iron and then disconnect both ends
3. Remove the old LED module
4. Clean and prep the surface for the new module
5. Apply a small ammount of thermal paste where the LED will sit
6. Drop the LED on the thermal paste and make sure it is centered
7. Solder the red wire with the + end, and the black wire with the - end

Yes? :tinfoil::tinfoil::tinfoil:

 

[yazovyet]

thats pretty much it.
if you are new to soldering then you should practice on some other wires first.
if the LED is not held in with screws/clips then you need to use thermal glue/epoxy to keep it in place. I like to apply a decent amount of presure (with a soft object like a bunched up tissue) to make sure their isnt a lot of air bubles/gaps under the led and so that hte thermal glue layer isnt too thick.
don't turn the light on while the LED is not connected, i have heard that will kill the electronics that drive the LED in some cases (better idea, remove the batteries).
prior to buying things it may be useful to make sure that the new LED will run brighter than the old one with the existing electronics.
often LEDs come on a pcb, make sure it fits in the space you have to work with and if it isnt on a pcb i think there is + and - connections on the back?