Can I use LEDs without PCB?

I recently purchased LEDs on ebay that were supposed to come attached to star PCB (as a heat sink). The items I received are just the LEDs (no PCB). They are listed as 3W LEDs, with a forward voltage of 3.0-3.4V, and current at 700mA.Will I damage/destroy the LEDs if I use them without a heat sink? If not, what is the best way to mount these to preserve their life during operation?

November 13, 2023

If you received actual 3W LEDs and were to run them at 3.5V, 700 mA without a heatsink, then yes, you will sooner-rather-than-later kill them.

You have three options.

Run them at a lower voltage/current.
Heat sink them, perhaps improvised out of some aluminum bar stock and metal epoxy (Home Depot)
Buy star PCB heat sinks and assemble them yourself.

#PCB Assembly

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How can I connect my small PCB with sensor to the bigger PCB?

My small PCB is mounting a very sensitive fragile sensor on the top surface that has to be wire bonded to the PCB, so I am trying to design a smaller PCB that can be surface mounted to the bigger PCB. How can I get some kind of thin footprint for interconnecting the two PCB boards?

Oliver Smith December 4, 2023

How do you draw pin grid array in cadsoft Eagle PCB?

I’d like to use a processor that uses a pin grid array. Basically, I’d like to make the prototyping PCB board for it. I’m new to eagle. How can I connect the inner PGA pins to the header pins on the edge (without shorting the lines)?

Oliver Smith November 30, 2023

Is paste mask layer, both top and bottom layer, necessary for THT components?

I know the paste mask layer is also called the stencil layer. It’s only used for assembly. I want to know if the paste mask layer (both top and bottom layer) is necessary for through hole components. For SMD components I know the paste mask layer is required to solder the components. Is it necessary for through hole components?

Oliver Smith November 27, 2023

Can I use LEDs without PCB?

Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How can I connect my small PCB with sensor to the bigger PCB?

How do you draw pin grid array in cadsoft Eagle PCB?

Is paste mask layer, both top and bottom layer, necessary for THT components?

Read Detailed Advice From Blog Articles