So, in the astrolux e02, aluminum mcpcb is used by default. Is it worth changing to copper if I use 6 amc (2.1A)? For xp-l hd it is less than 7W.
What is the maximum threshold for aluminum mcpcb?
Hello!
Everyone can have it's own opinion, let's start from here of course. For me it all depends on your maximum allowable emitter temperature, which is always going to be higher if using a board with higher thermal resistance.
For 2.1A (≈7W) maximum on an Astrolux E02 it may probably be good enough. In a ThorFire TA13 20+W and its XHP35 emitter (on copper DTP) already reachs ≈125°C if measured in front of it with my IR gun, but of course the driver has timed step-down.
Cheers ^:)
Copper will always give lower temps than aluminum, and lower temps always mean more output.
How much more will depend, but it’s always better by some amount.
Resistance goes up with heat, LED life gets shorter with heat. I for one do everything I can to get rid of heat. Now at 2.1 amps, it may not be required… but if I have it apart it is going to get copper!
What they said…
Cu is always better than Al, but it comes at a cost. Unless a light’s fairly high-strung, Al should be fine, but once you start pushing the LED, Cu becomes more and more critical. When that happens is a judgment call.
But yeah, if you got it apart anyway, and have Cu, why not use it? It’ll keep the LED cooler and give you marginally higher output when driven harder.
So if it’s better to use copper for 7W, anyone know where can I get 18mm mcpcb?
I do not want to play with 20mm grinding, because it’s a bit hard to do it manually (for me).
Use a 16.
I wanted, but with the original centering pad it can be hard to solder the wires. But I will try anyway.
Never use aluminum unless you can’t find a copper mcpcb in that size. But even if it’s smaller, it’s better a 15mm copper mcpcb than a 20mm aluminium one
Just cut out small notches in the plastic ring using a tiny saw or file, or heated knife.