Opened up a T67 an a T38, both have this, correct me if i am wrong, thermal paste? epoxy? idk im guessing it issolates it form the pill. question is. how can i remove this stuff with out damaging the mcpcb.
thanks gents! this is my first mod and honestly im a bit scared on how much i can really chip into it. also the Emitter im using has a warning to be isolated, does this mean when current is running through it only? or when im soldiering it as well. :quest:
Thermal paste. It’s used to make sure heat gets from the LED to the flashlight body. I clean off the old stuff with paint thinner and a toothbrush, it works a little better than rubbing alcohol.
What LED are you using that needs to be isolated?
Im using a SFH 4725S, Im waiting on some MCPCB boards at the moment in the mail to flow my other SFH 4725S’s on too… So dumb question, is thermal paste conductive? LOL i could probably google it, but im sure i could get a more defined answer here.
As previously mentioned it is thermal paste.
I usually just clean off the old stuff with a Qtip. No alcohol needed. Pretty much all of it comes off with a couple Qtips. Before reinstalling the star I apply a fresh layer of AS5 thermal grease.
Some of it is. And even the stuff that isn’t, usually you want to spread it thin enough that there would still be metal-to-metal contact. You will have to take some care if the mcpcb needs to be electrically isolated
Are your MCPCB's of the DTP type (Sinkpads, Noctigon or Maxtoch)? If not, then you'll be fine anyway. If yes, you will need to isolate the ledboard (=led-minus if you use an Oslon Black) from the pill. Thermal adhesive is an electrical insulator, so if there's a thin layer between board and pill you should be fine, apply it too thin or press the board down too hard so that there's metal-metal contact, then you're in trouble. Use the continuity test on your DMM while glueing the board down so that you can correct a short before the adhesive hardens.
If I find the kind that is like set up silicone and the star is totally stuck down that a little break cleaner will soften the stuff. Only use this if you do not plan to keep the LED around. You will have an almost instant de-dome with the spray.
I’m confused, noctigons need to be isolated from the pill? I thought you could solder them together.
The stars are Noctigon, But by chance do any of you gets know of a alternative 16mm mcpcb? Finally got off work and its time to mod!
Sorry, what? No way is this correct. Edit: I’m guessing you are familiar with the led the op mentioned, at least I hope so. The solder pad in the middle of most leds is electrically isolated from positive and negative…