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Guide on Operating the 6805-EC10 Adjustable Color LED

Diminutive RGB LEDs continue to shrink, making them even more tricky to handle than their already miniature forerunners. According to Alex Lorman, these latest indexable LEDs pose unique challenges.

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3 min read
Tiny LEDs of latest RGB indexable variety are posing more handling challenges than their...
Tiny LEDs of latest RGB indexable variety are posing more handling challenges than their shrink-down ancestors because of their minuscule size, as suggested by author Alex Lorman in his writings.

Guide on Operating the 6805-EC10 Adjustable Color LED

LED Madness: Taming the Tiny SK6805-EC10s

The world of LEDs just got smaller, and we're dealing with the minutiae of indexable RGB LEDs. Particularly, the SK6805-EC10 series, with dimensions of an eye-popping 1.1mm x 1.1mm, have sent DIY enthusiasts into a frenzy. Don't fret, as [Alex Lorman] has penned down some handy notes to help navigate these itty-bitty beauties.

Although smaller than the common 5050 or Neopixels, the 2020/Dotstars are no walk in the park either. Soldering these bad boys requires some real finesse, and getting a satisfactory placement demands some nifty skills.

[Alex] was up for the challenge, wanting to use the even smaller EC10 or 1111 LEDs (you know, the ones measuring a mind-boggling 1.1mm x 1.1mm!). Adafruit's product page mentions that these are not intended for hand-soldering, but who's to say no to a bit of adventure? After all, [Alex] has pulled off the seemingly impossible and crafted a KiCAD footprint and a nifty test PCB for characterizing and getting used to handling these little buggers.

To make things work, [Alex] advises using low-temperature paste like MG Chemicals' T3 SnBiAg paste and subjecting the components to a modest heat level to avoid cracking the cases open. Low air flow rate is also crucial to prevent the LEDs from being blown out of our workspace. With these tips in mind, perhaps these minuscule LEDs are more suited for hot plate or a proper convection oven?

For those who are brave enough to embark on this solder-filled journey, [Alex] has also shared some insights from their past exploits with the slightly larger SK6805-1515 device. These ripped straight from the headlines include interesting nonlinearity effects and the crucial need for gamma correction to achieve spot-on color perception. Dive into these devilish details yourselves, dear readers, and happy soldiering!

In our quest for more inspiration, we stumbled upon one project utilizing the larger 1515 unit. For those who want to venture further into LED-land, the journey awaits.

Enrichment Data:

These minuscule SK6805-EC10 LEDs, measuring 1.1mm x 1.1mm, present a substantial soldering challenge due to their tiny size and sensitivity to heat. To tame these tough LEDs, a low-temperature solder paste (e.g., lead-based or Sn42/Bi58, which melts around 138°C–170°C) and a very low air flow rate are recommended. Here’s how to go about tackling these tiny components:

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Fine-tip soldering iron or hot air rework station
  • Low-temperature solder paste
  • Solder flux
  • Magnifying glass or microscope
  • Tweezers (non-magnetic, antistatic)
  • Kapton tape or heat-resistant tape (to protect nearby components)
  • Low air flow rate fan or fume extractor (optional, for safety)

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the LED and Board
  2. Clean the board pads with isopropyl alcohol.
  3. Apply a thin layer of solder paste to the pads using a fine needle or syringe.
  4. Position the LED
  5. Use tweezers to place the SK6805-EC10 LED on the paste, aligning the pads carefully.
  6. Secure the LED with Kapton tape if needed to prevent movement.
  7. Soldering with Hot Air
  8. Set your hot air station to a low temperature (start with 100°C–150°C for low-melt paste).
  9. Use a low air flow rate (25%–40% of maximum) to avoid blowing the LED away.
  10. Gently heat the LED and pads until the solder paste melts and flows.
  11. Remove heat as soon as the solder reflows, to avoid overheating.
  12. Soldering with an Iron
  13. If using a soldering iron, set it to the lowest effective temperature (about 200°C–220°C for low-melt solder).
  14. Apply flux to the pads.
  15. Touch the pad and component lead briefly for a second or two to avoid heat damage.
  16. Check alignment frequently under magnification.
  17. Post-Soldering Inspection
  18. Inspect the joints under magnification for bridges or cold joints.
  19. Clean with isopropyl alcohol if flux residue remains.

Tips for Success

  • Minimize Heat Exposure: Work quickly to limit the LED’s exposure to heat.
  • Use Low Air Flow: Prevents the tiny LED from being dislodged during hot air soldering.
  • Check Polarity: Ensure the LED’s orientation matches the PCB markings.
  • Practice on Scrap Boards: Gets you accustomed to handling such small components.

By following these steps, you can reliably hand solder SK6805-EC10 LEDs using low-temperature paste and gentle air flow, minimizing the risk of damaging these sensitive components.

  1. The use of low-temperature solder paste, such as MG Chemicals' T3 SnBiAg paste, and a minimal air flow rate are essential when soldering the SK6805-EC10 LEDs, given their minute size and sensitivity to heat.
  2. To construct a working prototype with the minuscule LEDs, one must first prepare the necessary tools like a fine-tip soldering iron or hot air rework station, low-temperature solder paste, tweezers, Kapton tape, and a low air flow rate fan or fume extractor.

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