MC-E emitters. Wiring etc.

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

Hey cpf,

I would like to know a few things about wiring an MC-E emitter. Earlier today someone was kind enough to explain to me the way they are rated ie 320 lumen @ 350ma/die. But I am still a bit unclear on a couple things.
Please dont be afraid to use pictures or diagrams in your answers.

1. I am guessing with 8 legs that's 2 for each die, but witch 2 are pos and neg for each die.

2. Is the voltage still the same regardless of weather the dies are wired in series or parallel?

3. If someone could show a picture or use a diagram or something to show me an example of how to wire both in series and parallel that would be great.

 

[Teego]

http://www.cree.com/products/pdf/XLampMC-E.pdf (Page 8)

That should answer questions 1 and 3. As for 2, no, the voltage increases for serial over parallel. (Double voltage for 2s2p and double again for 4s.)

(We should probably have this moved to flashlight electronics, now that I think about it. Mods mind giving a quick poke?)

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

Hi teego,

Thanks for the link, I have found some useful info on crees website for color, and other bin stuff, but I didnt see a diagram about wiring the led?

 

[richardcpf]

I don't know such a diagram but it is pretty easy:

1. You have 4 +'s and 4 -'s. A total of 8 solder points, 4 pairs.
2. Now you should see them as 4 batteries:

-if you want serial, just stick them together in line: -1,+2,-2,+3,-3,+4... you will end up having +1 and -4 for wiring the batteries.
-if you want paralell, you should connect all +'s together and all -'s together: +1,+2,+3,+4 and -1,-2,-3,-4... now you have -1234 and +1234 to wire batteries.
-if you want 2s2p, first connect two pairs in serial then parallel. -1,+2 and -3,+4... then connect +1,+3 and -2,-4... you will have now +13 and -14 to wire batteries.


Sorry if it seems complicated but this is how i learned to wire a mc-e!! Hope this helps

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

Hi richard,

I think I am getting the idea.... we will see. For parallel config would be like this. Giving me 2.8 amp at about 3.7 volts?


For the serial I am guessing that this has to be done using a star correct? But config is like this? Giving 700ma @ about 14.8 volts?


And for the 1/2 and 1/2 1.4amp at 7.4 volts?

 

[DaFABRICATA]

Heres another thread:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=209225

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

 

[mpf]

Hi richard,

I think I am getting the idea.... we will see. For parallel config would be like this. Giving me 2.8 amp at about 3.7 volts?


For the serial I am guessing that this has to be done using a star correct? But config is like this? Giving 700ma @ about 14.8 volts?


And for the 1/2 and 1/2 1.4amp at 7.4 volts?

yes.

matthew

 

[Justin Case]

The 2S2P approach in the link provided by DaFabricata looks cleaner than the one in post #4 above.

You connect 1+/2+ with 3-/4-. Then you connect 1-/2- to the LED- lead from your driver board and 3+/4+ to the LED+ lead from the driver board. A total of 3 wires and only one that has to cross over between + and - on the MC-E. The 3 wires include connecting the MC-E to the LED+ and LED- wire leads from the driver board.

The method in post #4 uses 4 wires and two of those wires have to cross over between the + and - sides of the MC-E. And the LED+ and LED- wire leads from the driver board also have to be attached separately.

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

How do I tell wich side is are the pos and neg on these?

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

How do I tell wich side is are the pos and neg on these?

Bump

 

[gillestugan]

Look for a corner that is cut in an angle, that is the positive side.

 

[yellow]

x-actly.

When You look at the diagram at the datasheet, You see that there is this cutout indicating the #1 contact


but if You are going to use an MC-E mounted on a Star, why bother with all those problems?
Either get a series or a parallel mounted one, depending on Your wants

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

Thanks gillestugan, and to you too Yellow

I did see the cut corner, and I figured that would be the tell, but I wasn't sure if it was pos or neg, and at 20$ a pop I wast willing to "just try it".

Thanks again for the help

 

[Cemoi]

at 20$ a pop

May I ask what your source is for MC-E emitters @$20 is, and what colour bins do they carry?
DX has some star-mounted ones slightly below $20, but the comments are rather negative on the quality of the soldering.

 

[VidPro]

May I ask what your source is for MC-E emitters @$20 is, and what colour bins do they carry?
DX has some star-mounted ones slightly below $20, but the comments are rather negative on the quality of the soldering.

here is one
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211450

i got mine there because they have special non-blue ones, and i wanted more redish, and am getting sick of bluish colorless stuff.
oops out of stock.

a cpf market seach shows
Arrow Electronics
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=183887&page=2
KaiDOmain (imo much more reliable than dx)
Cutter (i think in austrailia)
and FutureElectronics, which is like trying to order in HEX or Binary
and this place, which (more often) you know exactally the bin your getting http://www.ledsupply.com/creemce.php

 

[Cemoi]

here is one
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211450

Unfortunately this GB is over, and it was well above $20 anyway.

a cpf market seach shows

All these sources (except DX and KD) are closer to $30 than to $20, not including shipment.

 

[VidPro]

All these sources (except DX and KD) are closer to $30 than to $20, not including shipment.

yup, but usually you get ONE type from DX, that is if you get it at all (gee sombody still holds a grudge).

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

May I ask what your source is for MC-E emitters @$20 is, and what colour bins do they carry?
DX has some star-mounted ones slightly below $20, but the comments are rather negative on the quality of the soldering.

Hi guys, Here are the emitters for 20$ shipped, they are a WF bin, I have not seen the color in real life yet but according to the cree color chart I looked at it should be similar to a WC with only a bit more green.