Differences between Thermal tapes

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure the aluminium will get hotter.
But how would the led stay on the aluminium strip?
You will have to find a way to attach the led-strip to the aluminium strip.
Screws is a possibility. Paste. 3M Tape. Chinese Tape.

Or do you mean something else?
I was under the impression that screws were the preferred fastener for the strips. I could be wrong having not built a strip LED personally. I think I recall others using screws, self tapping in some cases, machine with nuts on others. Again, I could be wrong.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I don't think I would rely on the tape as a fastener myself, I would use the tape only for better thermal transfer. Never know with time and temperature the adhesive might not hold but still be good at transferring heat.

It is my understanding also that most strip builds won't need the tape or paste, just mechanical fasteners to the aluminum will get enough heat transferred unless you are driving them really hard.
 

Keesje

Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that screws were the preferred fastener for the strips. I could be wrong having not built a strip LED personally. I think I recall others using screws, self tapping in some cases, machine with nuts on others. Again, I could be wrong.
You reply so fast :)
I added some things.
 

Keesje

Well-Known Member
I don't think I would rely on the tape as a fastener myself, I would use the tape only for better thermal transfer. Never know with time and temperature the adhesive might not hold but still be good at transferring heat.

It is my understanding also that most strip builds won't need the tape or paste, just mechanical fasteners to the aluminum will get enough heat transferred unless you are driving them really hard.
Screws are a great way to fasten them.
And the heat transfer will be also very good.

The tape is a heat resistant tape (at least that is what most people say. It is not a heat transferring tape. Although the Chinese dealers call it that)
This guy, Greengenes, also uses the Chinese tape.


The benefit of the tape is that it takes you just seconds to attach a led strip to a heatsink.
It has downsides as well: Harder to get the led-strip from the heatsink :)
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Screws are a great way to fasten them.
And the heat transfer will be also very good.

The tape is a heat resistant tape (at least that is what most people say. It is not a heat transferring tape. Although the Chinese dealers call it that)
This guy, Greengenes, also uses the Chinese tape.


The benefit of the tape is that it takes you just seconds to attach a led strip to a heatsink.
It has downsides as well: Harder to get the led-strip from the heatsink :)
Screws without nylon washers can damage the soldermask. I also prefer tape but i tend to run strips softer, around 20w per 2 feet.
 

Keesje

Well-Known Member
About removing the led-strip....

It is my intention to find a plastic strip, similar to the ones used for the led-strips, and attach that with the tape to an aluminium strip.
Then store it in a wam place for some months. Like near a waterboiler or something.

For another hobby I have, I once had to remove the windshield from a truck.
I bought something like this

1575914920948.png

For the people who don't know what this is....
You connect the wire (3 or 4 feet) to one of the black handles. Then you make a small hole in the rubber that holds your windshield in your car. You stick the wire through the hole and attach the other black handle to the wire. Then you pull the handles towards you and the wire cuts the rubber.
Like a knife through the butter, if your lucky.

The wire has a delta shape (the one I had) and it did cut the rubber easily. Especially when you make a bit of a 'sawing' movement.
I think that if once you have a point to start, and the aluminium is heated up a bit, it will work.
I hope...
 

boybelue

Well-Known Member
About removing the led-strip....

It is my intention to find a plastic strip, similar to the ones used for the led-strips, and attach that with the tape to an aluminium strip.
Then store it in a wam place for some months. Like near a waterboiler or something.

For another hobby I have, I once had to remove the windshield from a truck.
I bought something like this

View attachment 4434167

For the people who don't know what this is....
You connect the wire (3 or 4 feet) to one of the black handles. Then you make a small hole in the rubber that holds your windshield in your car. You stick the wire through the hole and attach the other black handle to the wire. Then you pull the handles towards you and the wire cuts the rubber.
Like a knife through the butter, if your lucky.

The wire has a delta shape (the one I had) and it did cut the rubber easily. Especially when you make a bit of a 'sawing' movement.
I think that if once you have a point to start, and the aluminium is heated up a bit, it will work.
I hope...
I've been in collision repair most of my working days and this would probably work, I've pulled many emblems and door moldings off with windshield wire and this exact kit can be picked up at harbor freight for cheap. There are a few other tools in the automotive industry that might work well like a hot knife and an air tool that works similar to the electric multi-tool that Rockwell advertised so much on TV, might be to rough on the strips though. So far I've installed all my strips with the cheap tape and must say I don't think they would ever come off of course it's hard to say 5 yrs down the rd. I'd say as long as they don't get to hot the heat will help keep them stuck.
 
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