Diy led... Solder?

JustinC · Nov 10, 2011

Diy led... Solder?
I'm awaiting the soon to be delivery of my leds. I'm about too head to the store to get solder, but I don't know what kind to get: tin, rising core, 50/50... Can anyone tell me which work the best on the cree leds?

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ToXIc · Nov 10, 2011

are the led's pre tinned?

ReefLEDLights · Nov 10, 2011

Justin C

63/37 the stuff with lead in it works for me. Pre Tin the stars before you secure them to the heatsink. 20ga stranded wire works well and its best to pre tin these as well.

Be careful of any cold solder joints. These can lead to a momentary break in the circuit and subsequent damage to the LEDs from the driver trying to compensate.

Bill

JustinC · Nov 10, 2011

Thanks bill. Can I use solid core? I have a bunch of solid 20. I can grave stranded not a big deal. Just though if it was ok I would just use the stranded.

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ReefLEDLights · Nov 10, 2011

I've always used Rosin Core from Radio Shack

Bill

JustinC · Nov 10, 2011

I meant solid core 20 wire.
Sorry for not being clear.

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ReefLEDLights · Nov 10, 2011

Dont forget to check this page out.
Trouble Shooting and things NOT to do! ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

also buy some automatic wire strippers because stripping any other method will leave you with long leads.
check out how short the leads are in this video. (EDIT) I correct myself, the lead on the first strip is twice the length I recommend.
[video=youtube;DtiuZUvCzMc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtiuZUvCzMc[/video]

you want the lead shorter than the size of the pad on the star so the rubber on the wire nearly goes into solder.
[video=youtube;TetYxH5n_cw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TetYxH5n_cw[/video]

I would avoid using solid core as stranded will allow you to pretin like I did in the first video and it will make your life sooo much easier than using solid core. five bucks to get the right wire will save you quite a bit of time and make sure you do things right so your fixture is setup to last you that 11 year life cycle.

-Rick