Tri-Cree Continuity

**o8jedi** · 07-06-2015, 06:06 PM

I'm trying to wire a trip-cree set, but as I'm testing continuity, I'm getting nothing. As this is my first soldering job, I'm starting to worry that I've made a mistake. Did I burn out the LEDs? Is my technique wrong? (The joints feel secure). Anyway, here's a pic so you guys can help me diagnose what's wrong.

**Forgetful Jedi Knight** · 07-06-2015, 06:16 PM

The wires themselves look in rough shape. Also, the brown on the star tells me you are applying way too much heat for way too long. You might have done damage to one or more LEDs. You could maybe try a single 1.5V battery and tough the wires to each end and see if the LED lights up, even a little.

**o8jedi** · 07-06-2015, 06:24 PM

I tested each contact with my multimeter. Nothing.

Well, it sucks that I learned how not to solder that way, but damn...

**Strydur** · 07-06-2015, 07:32 PM

Grab a 3v heck even 3.7v and hook it directly to each LED for a split second (do not look directly into the light) I find it hard to believe you messed up all 3.

**o8jedi** · 07-06-2015, 08:11 PM

Unbelievably, they all still work after hooking them up to a power supply. Onwards!

**Bark** · 07-07-2015, 05:33 AM

OP: might need to invest in a better soldering iron with a higher wattage/higher temperature. Also if a complete newbie, practice soldering wire-to-wire before wire-to-boards if possible to get the hand of it. The goal is to minimize both the amount of time applying the heat and the total area where the heat is applied.

**Zahc Zi Phan** · 07-07-2015, 06:51 PM

Looks crispy, and a little bit too much solder. You don't need a ton to get the job done. I would maybe recommend a hotter soldering iron so you don't have to hold the iron on the star as long.

**RobotCamel** · 07-08-2015, 10:26 AM

I'm going to be soldering a tri-cree myself very soon. I see a few comments here that say this was too hot, and some say it should be hotter. I am wondering, what actual temperature should the soldering iron be to solder a tri-cree? I have a soldering iron where I can set a specific temperature. Thanks.