Removing strip quick connectors

unkle_psycho · Sun Oct 21, 2018 7:37 am

I'm about to make a few small 75w fixtures, and I think I can make a cleaner build if I weld [edit: solder] the wires...

Has anyone removed quick connectors from bridgelux strips? Can I just pull them off or is there a risk that I spoil the strip?

unkle_psycho · Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:18 am

Well I did a little test last night. There was a little metal showing from under the edge of the solderless quick connectors. I hooked wires from a driver and pressed the ends against the root of the quick connector and the strips lit.

So I will just go ahead and rip the quick connectors of one. I'm starting to be sure it will work.

Tickles the ɯılʞɯɐu · Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:45 am

unkle_psycho wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:18 am
Well I did a little test last night. There was a little metal showing from under the edge of the solderless quick connectors. I hooked wires from a driver and pressed the ends against the root of the quick connector and the strips lit.

So I will just go ahead and rip the quick connectors of one. I'm starting to be sure it will work.

Which strips?

Do they not have solder points on already?

xenophon · Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:00 pm

My Bridgelux strips have solder points pre-tinned in addition to the connectors. I've been using the connectors (with 20-gauge solid wire) but I don't like them. You have to be very careful not to pop the connector off by mistake just futzing around with the solid wire required to use them in the first place. And the wire twists inside the connector as you manage it.

I was using similar connectors on a couple of Atreum 288.2 "quantum" boards, but with 14-gauge solid wire (carrying up to 5 amp off the driver) and I broke off 3 connectors just setting it up. It wasn't difficult soldering stranded wire onto the solder points where the connectors broke off. Unlike Bridgelux, the Atreums have no separate solder points.

unkle_psycho · Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:43 am

The strips are Bridgelux vestas. I could not see a solder point, unless the 1-2mm of metal showing at the root of the quick connector are it. I'm sure it would work soldering to the root of the quick connector, because I pressed the wires against it and the strips lit up.

Well yesterday I took of the quick connectors of the first strips, and got the first fixture to the point its only missing the soldering wires. I'm about to get at it now, will post a bunch of pictures in a few hours.

unkle_psycho · Thu Oct 25, 2018 10:19 am

Do you mean the root of the quick connector as the solder point? I pressed the wires against that and the strip lit, which gave me the confidence to rip the connector off.

unkle_psycho · Thu Oct 25, 2018 10:22 am

Once ripped off it actually gives two solder points which was really practical for the dual temperature Vesta strips. I just reserved one for each CT.

xenophon · Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:44 pm

Nice pictures, and nice soldering!

I guess Bridgelux added a solder point to the EB GEN2 strips because I don't see it on yours.

unkle_psycho · Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:01 am

The last time I soldered was about 33y ago, as a kid. I made a box that used audio as a signal to blink lights, and turned my room into a disco.
I did consider this a success, since it works and I didn't fry anything. The soldering looked pretty horrid to my eye, but I felt it got quite a lot easier as I went along. With 3 more of these to go I expect the work will improve with each attempt.