LED Build 3x3

I was looking at those specs and most of the holes I thought were for optic, or clip in. Damn I hope he see this before he plugs that in. I still have a week or 2 before I get mine so I don't know

It looks like the strips have poor contact, screws on only one side of the strip.

The internal curcuitry is visible on the backs of EB strips..

Wow. I just read this now. I didn’t even think about that. Fuck me! Thanks for that info.

At least I haven’t fucked anything up now. But I’m not sure what to do. You guys suggesting no screws? Cause now I don’t know where I should screw em down.

I had forgotten all about the screw hole issues, as I have been mounting with thermal tape for the last several builds.
Lemme take a look at a data sheet.

Chip Green said:

That is a good reminder^^^^^ This has come up, awhile back.
Look at the back of the strips, you can see the dedicated mounting screw holes, have a buffer area around the hole to prevent short circuit!
There are holes in the strips not intended for screws, only for optics to be mounted.

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Just looked at one, all holes are clear of copper.

So I can screw any hole?

Yes

I just took a look myself on the data sheet. Mind you the one on the sheet is a 1foot strip. I assume they all the same. No copper on the front, could there be copper on the rear?

Well it might be perfectly fine. But look at the very end of the strip. It has solder pads meaning there is lots of contact surface under. I only remember from old school ways of making your own strips. Check the back like mentioned above . I was going to screw between mine with something else, not sure what yet tho as heat will be a factor as well. Well glad you did not fry yourself or your gear, I'm sure you will come up with something . Looking forward to seeing your build running . I was considering hi heat gasket or rubber enough to give a few mm distance maybe coat a few washers with the make a gasket , it's like silicone but high heat tolerant. Screw down the home made spacer and not the strip itself. 2 side "Heat sync"tape Is definitely the best way to go tho.

Even though I scrwed them down. If I remove them I’ll be okay? Or is it possible I knicked somsthing in the board and they are fried?

I think I’m fine. Take a look. Taking out the screws did scuff the board a but that should be fine eh?

If you hit anything you won't hurt anything unless you turn it on. If screws cut past the buffer then just don't use the screw,. Just check one, all might be fine. Any nicks in the board surface can be touched up

You can use those round holes to mount

Not sure what I’m looking at. But I added some pics. Do I need to touch my boards up. And if so with what?

People mount these on aluminum heatsinks or angle all the time. You aren't going to fry anything

DangerDavez said:

People mount these on aluminum heatsinks or angle all the time. You aren't going to fry anything

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Even using the screws? They won’t Knick anything in the board that should be nicked? Don’t want to fry myself. Now I’m anxious. I intend to be able to touch my unit to move it lol.

Skoal said:

Not sure what I’m looking at. But I added some pics. Do I need to touch my boards up. And if so with what?

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They look fine to me, thanks for all the input everyone!

Your fine... you see how the area around the holes is slightly lighter, on the backs? That's safe zone in my book.
There were short circuit issues with the EB gen1, screws going into holes designed for optics only, there were internal circuits being damaged by screws....Looks like the Gen2 has eliminated that issue, based on those pictures.
I've built several "lamps" with Gen2, but they we're built for another grower I know. Couldn't remember what the backs loked like.

Thank you all for your input and keeping myself and my daughter safe. I appreciate it. When I took it off I had a feeling it was safe. After unscrewing I did have to pry the board up a bit. The holes in aluminum sheet were a bit raised from the screw threading itself. Glad we all figured that out for future builders as well. Glad they solved that issue from the first Gen.

Fuck now I’m struggling to get my strip back on haha. Cause the holes are a little raised on the sides from when the screw went in. Now I’m trying to find the strip perfectly over top lol. Today was trying to remove the wire and now I’m trying to get the strip back on. These better be worth it.

Skoal said:

These better be worth it

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I'm running over 2000w of Gen1 EBs built in 2017..
Im going with: nay chance you'll regret this.
Nay.