Newbie help pls. Single cree xr-e with buckpuck?

[svenno]

Hi,

First post, but been reading for a while. New to LED DIYs as well.
I am trying to do a simple LED project but am having epic issues.

Aim is to have a single bright led mounted on eye-glasses (so hoping to have the led+lens+casing+heatsink all around 0.5 ounces), battery pack will be in my pocket.
After some browsing, I decided to try the following config

1 x Cree xr-e Q5 WG (on star metal pcb)
1 x buckpuck 3021-D-E-1000mA
1 x cree 8* lens
1 x aluminum heatsink (cut to match star shape) and 3 mm thick
1 x switch (cutting off the battery from the driver)

for batteries, I went with

8 x AA 1.2v rechargables (i'm waiting on 4 x 3.6v Lithiums)

So basically, I hooked all this up and .... nothing. I've check that +ve's go to +ves for both the battery and the led. My batteries are putting out about 12.4v per my multimeter. Pardon my ignorance, as I'm sure that I've done something fundamentally dumb. Oh and before you ask, I've tried it with the Potentiometer full on or full off.

Any help would be appreciated, surely this is one of the simplest DIYs on this forum?

Thanks, sv

ps. here is a picture of the config with a round pcb

 

[Wok]

1] Test the LED unconnected, use your multimeter on Diode/lowest ohm setting....+ probe to + LED.....should light up faintly....if ok >>
2] Check if the 5V ctrl voltage is there [gently unplug the harness or @ the pot pins]

eng hoe

 

[Linger]

Aside from it not working, you've picked a great starter project...
(can you put 'not working' aside?)
:welcome:
double check your grounding, could be another connection to the wire by-passing your emitter, maybe both touching the nice alum heatsink (doesn't look like it in the pic)

fyi - put the batteries in holder for the pic...I'm sure 1/2 the people who viewed this started post that the holder was empty.

+1 for testing led.

 

[Lighthouse one]

You can also test an led by putting a 3 volt cell across the emitter. No light- reverse the wires. Faint light...led ok.

 

[svenno]

Thanks Wok / Linger,

I've tested the led and not getting much love, so it's going back to the shop. Great to know that this should have worked. I was ready for someone to comment "well of course that didn't work, you didn't think of this/this/this ........"

The leds have to travel back to Melbourne and back, but I'll post when I either find out they are dead or show the completed project.

Cheers, sv

 

[ahorton]

Have you checked the switch?

 

[Essexman]

Nice project, hope you can work it out and get it working.

I was wondering what you will use it for ??