How long does it take LED thermal paste to dry?

Discussion in 'LED Aquarium Lighting' started by bbrian189, Sep 4, 2012.

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  1. bbrian189

    bbrian189 Skunk Shrimp

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    I have Rapid LED brand and it has been a few days an it still isnt dry.. meaning I can still push on an edge of an led and it kinda slides a little bit.
     
    bbrian189, Sep 4, 2012
    bbrian189, Sep 4, 2012
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  2. Reef Breeders

    Reef Breeders 3reef Sponsor

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    Thermal paste never dries, going on a year now, LOL. Thermal adhesive, or thermal glue, will dry.
     
    Reef Breeders, Sep 4, 2012
    Reef Breeders, Sep 4, 2012
    #2
  3. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    I'm guessing you mixed it wrong or got a bad batch. Mine dried in 15 minutes or so IIRC.

    EDIT: lol, didn't notice it said paste, yeah that wont;)
     
    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
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  4. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    If you have to re-order, I'd order the thermal pads!
     
    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
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  5. Reef Breeders

    Reef Breeders 3reef Sponsor

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    The cost is not worth it IME, as far as removal goes, a fine tip screwdriver will get up a glued LED without doing much harm. If you do not want to mix the glue, then simply do what cosmo said.
     
    Reef Breeders, Sep 4, 2012
    Reef Breeders, Sep 4, 2012
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  6. bbrian189

    bbrian189 Skunk Shrimp

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    I didnt know that the paste didnt dry... thats stupid.. how are you supposed to get LED's to hang straight on the heatsink.. mine are all floppy.

    Do people that use the thermal paste have to use electrical tape to get them to hang straight?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2012
    bbrian189, Sep 4, 2012
    bbrian189, Sep 4, 2012
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  7. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
    cosmo, Sep 4, 2012
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  8. Bustopher

    Bustopher Skunk Shrimp

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    Paste is used when the heat source is clamped to the heatsink to fill gaps between the two. Like between computer CPUs and heatsinks. What the product that comes in most DIY kits was originally designed for.
    It comes in the kits because people drill and tap their heatsinks and use screws to hold the chips down.

    You need a Thermal Adhesive to glue them down.
     
    Bustopher, Sep 4, 2012
    Bustopher, Sep 4, 2012
    #8
  9. evolved

    evolved Wrasse Freak

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    Yup.

    It's not stupid; you have a fundamental misunderstanding.

    Air is a fantastic insulator. Therefore you do not want an air gap between the star and your heat sink. For drilled/tapped heat sinks, you must use thermal grease (sometimes called paste) to fill this gap. If you don't have a drilled tapped heat sink (or don't wish to do such - I wouldn't), then you need thermal adhesive or thermal pads to attach the stars to the heat sinks. Thermal adhesive sets in 5 minutes or less.

    Recap - Attachment options:

    1. Drilled & tapped heat sink - screws along with thermal grease to fill the air gap
    2. Thermal adhesive
    3. Thermal pads
     
    evolved, Sep 5, 2012
    evolved, Sep 5, 2012
    #9