Problems with ldeal COB holders

I've been working on my light for a while and am finally mounting the cob's. I have Cree CXB3070's and Ideal 50-2234C holders. I try to mount the cob in the holder before applying the tim. The cob won't stay in the holder and pops out very easily. I do finally screw everything onto the hs but the two leads don't touch the + & - on the cob. I only have the holders screwed in just hand tight but no matter what I do they won't connect the + & -. With all the good reviews on the Ideal holders I was not expecting this situation. Has anybody else had a situation like this?
 

Positivity

Well-Known Member
Try and explain it best I can..

The cob does easily pop out. The process I use is a extra step compared to putting the TIM on while in the holder.

They all WILL stay in. Some more so then others

1. Put TIM on COB as evenly and thinly as possible out of holder
2. Pick up COB by edges trying not to get too messy
3. place correct edge on side with spring lever
4. Lay the COB flat on holder while keeping the spring lever engaged
5. Snap into place. Sometimes you need to move it around a bit to get the metal clips to dig into the cob sides
6. Go back and touch up the TIM which will have probably got messed up a bit. Its easier for me to do a touch up then apply all the TIM in the holder without it popping out.
7. Gently flip over and place exactly where it needs to sit. You can't really move it much without it popping out or messing up the TIM. You also have to screw in a little each side at a time or torquing one end will make it pop out

Thats about how I go about it..

Be sure to wear some thin medical latex gloves or something...the TIM is toxic..

Have installed quite a few holders and I've never had the contacts not meet up when properly seated. Maybe bend them if need be..

Also check out Pacific Light Concepts in the ads, they have the bjb holders which are probably the best out.
 
Try and explain it best I can..

The cob does easily pop out. The process I use is a extra step compared to putting the TIM on while in the holder.

They all WILL stay in. Some more so then others

1. Put TIM on COB as evenly and thinly as possible out of holder
2. Pick up COB by edges trying not to get too messy
3. place correct edge on side with spring lever
4. Lay the COB flat on holder while keeping the spring lever engaged
5. Snap into place. Sometimes you need to move it around a bit to get the metal clips to dig into the cob sides
6. Go back and touch up the TIM which will have probably got messed up a bit. Its easier for me to do a touch up then apply all the TIM in the holder without it popping out.
7. Gently flip over and place exactly where it needs to sit. You can't really move it much without it popping out or messing up the TIM. You also have to screw in a little each side at a time or torquing one end will make it pop out

Thats about how I go about it..

Be sure to wear some thin medical latex gloves or something...the TIM is toxic..

Have installed quite a few holders and I've never had the contacts not meet up when properly seated. Maybe bend them if need be..

Also check out Pacific Light Concepts in the ads, they have the bjb holders which are probably the best out.
Thank you for your quick and insightful response. I'm finished working on them for the night (letting my frustration leave me before I try again tomorrow). I did not think it was such a touchy procedure to mount those bad boys. Thanks again.
 

chipper68

Member
Oddly enough, I found tapping the heatsink and every part of doing this was a breeze, the chips popping out of the ideal holders was one of the most frustrating parts IMO. I honestly thought of using adhesive TIM or kapton and just soldering next time. Maybe it just takes practice, but I thought the holders were *supposed* to make the process easier, not make a mess of TIM all over fingers :D

May look at the BJB
 
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