Soldering CREE Leds - sink or no sink?

[CLM65]

First of all, let me say that this is a great site! I have been wanting to make a DIY LED system for years, but haven't found the nerve or knowledge until I started reading the posts on this site.

I actually ordered a couple of kits last night from rapid led, and I'm pulling together plans and instructions so that I can hit the ground running once they get here. Which brings me to my first very basic question...

It seems that some folks attach their LEDs to their heat sink before soldering, but others may solder first? Is there a recommended way? I am not exactly new to soldering, but I am very far from being an expert, so keep that in mind if you have a recommendation.

BTW, Rapid LED just had a price drop on XP-G CW and XP-E RB packages! Great timing!

Thanks in advance!

 

[cromedogg33]

I think it's going to depend on your application. Are you glueing your heatsinks after you have them soldered...I see problems with this. You don't want you wires to be shorter than you want and have to resolder. I would put your lights where you want them for sure and then go to town!!

Post some pics!

 

[jimmy_beaner]

attaching them to the heatsink prior to soldering would also help dissipate heat (from soldering) away from the LED itself. Though I think the majority of the attaching to heatsinks prior is convenience.

 

[Chris27]

It all depends on how the pad, star, pcb, whatever, that the LED is mounted to dissipates heat. If it does it very well, it will make soldering difficult because you'll never get the wire and designated pad hot enough to get the solder flowing properly.

 

[Ram Jr]

Per solder the Led off of the heat sink. Then attach them to the Heat sink with the glue they have. If you try to do this with the LED's on the heat sink it takes longer for the solder to heat up and this will cause a longer install. I did this on my build and all worked out.

 

[CLM65]

So, it sounds like my best bet will be to solder the wires first and then glue them to the heat sink. I'm sure with a little planning the wires will be long enough. This is also consistent with a video I saw on Youtube. Thanks for the replies!

 

[MarkGP]

Attach your LEDs to the heatsink first then solder. It is very difficult to try to hold the LED and solder the wire to it. If you use a decent soldering iron you won't have any problems (if you know how to solder correctly) with the LED mounted to the heatsink.

 

[jeffm59]

I used a kit from RapidLed -- tried both ways -- found it was easier to attach and then solder. The added difficulty in soldering on the heatsink was far less than struggling to hold the Led and the wire still while soldering

 

[CLM65]

Wow, now swaying the other way. Sounds like I need to get a sacrificial LED and try it both ways. Thanks for the feedback!