How Hot Should Heat Sink Get?

[abrianbaker]

I was just wondering how hot the heat sink will get on the express.  I have 3 100 ct mini's conected to each of 6 channels.  Should be a total of 1.8 amps per channel.  It is very warm borderline hot....

don't want it to 

Thank for the help.

Brian

[JonB256]

If you left that many lights on continuously, then the heatsink will definitely get warm. If they are going on and off and dimming, then it shouldn't be very warm at all. The load you are running is well below any amperage level of  concern, even full on.

[abrianbaker]

Thanks I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to fry anything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RJ]

If you need to have full load on for extended time it will handle it. Hot in terms of a heatsink is a relative term. If you can touch it at all it is not really hot in the terms of electronics. The Max operating temp of the triac is 125 C or 257 F.

Now the heatsink can not be this hot because of the resistence to transfer the heat from the internals of the triac to the heatsink. So if you can not boil water on the heatsink (212 F) then you are not burning it up. I would recommend you not run it that hot for a number of reasons but it will operate at 180 F without problem and you would not be touching that, at least not for long.

RJ

[abrianbaker]

Thanks RJ

I would probable say it was in the 120 degree range.  Whew!  This is the first time I have run it for an extended period of time (halloween show) and just wanted to be certain.

Again, this site is the best!!!!

Brian

[chrisatpsu]

Please don't try to actually boil water directly on the heatsink either. Side effects may include participating in another express coop after you thought you had enough, or death. Dont ask tbone how he knows!!!

[abrianbaker]