De-doming Nichia 519A (I've perfected my method!)

I showed how to do an emitter swap in my last video:, and in part 2 I de-domed 519A for the first time. I did a pretty good job, but it was my first rodeo. Now I'm back with improved technique.
The last de-doming video can be found here: • PART 2 - Emitter swapp...

[@clemenceronald]

To those curious about the first two cross slices: They breaks most of the dome-glass adhesion. You can feel and sees it. As you slice down to the glass, you can see the boundary between the glass and the dome turned from invisible to silvery/glassy. The phosphor color also turned warmer. You can feel a very subtle "crackle" in your fingers. Note: to check if the glass dome still adheres to the phosphor my trick is to lit the LED at very low current then inspect it under a magnifying glass using a welder glass or very dark sunglasses. If you see any darker area that means air gap, and you don't want it. Sometimes it's so abvious you can see it with aspheric lenses positioned in focus in the white wall. Everytime there's a sudden change in medium refraction index, the light bounce back more than if the transition is smooth. That's the idea why most LEDS are domed. Coating the dedomed glass with multiple layer of optical grade silicone with gradual refractive index (between the glass and air) will lessen the output loss. You can also reduce rosiness this way. Edit: to clean the remaining silicone remnants, I dipped a cotton bud in cajuputi oil. A very light rub no residue. Cajuputi oil is very mild (compared to kerosene or gasoline) and evaporates fast even if you forget to wipe it dry. This has been a proven trick used by many smartphone repair shops in my country.

[@cheule]

Thanks for commenting Clemence. This is GREAT info, and I will sticky it.

[@grahamcairns2249]

Brilliant video. I'm still new to the flashlight world but I think this would be fun to try out. Thanks for doing this on camera for us

[@cheule]

Glad it was helpful!

[@coreyferreira7160]

Surgeon pinpoint precision, fantastic work sir 🫡👊

[@BenBartlow]

Fun to see how people learn over time. Now they just shove it off with a cut off cotton swab. I've heard people mention doing it while installed too and turning the light on to heat the adhesive up a bit before sliding it off

[@LiquidRetro]

Good tips, I need to get some more ordered I in different tints.

[@NorthBorneoLights]

yours truly, chooly

[@AutoUpdated]

What do the cross cuts accomplish? Shouldnt the action of the 45 degree cut and horizontal force be all thats necessary in order to lift the dome off the emitter? I dont understand what role the cross cuts play and im just trying to learn. I was able to successfully dedome one using gentle horizontal pressure with my fine tweezers and it turned out very clean. (Im aware its a lot more risky that way but i didnt want to take the pcb out of the light again after testing it with the dome on.) Also im not sure if you have heard this already but I found that cutting a q tip in half and using the hard nub was awesome for removing the excess dome material without damaging the emitter.

[@cheule]

Clemence told me to do that, he says it breaks up the dome and let’s it come of easier.

[@SMAR-T]

I would like to look at the difference of the one with a dome and the one without. is there a big difference? THANKS

[@cheule]

De-doming drops the CCT about 20% and the DUV drops about 50 points.

[@charleshorseman55]

Are these ever sat on cree xp pcb's? Just got order from Convoy and when I unscrewed the plug it said "Cree XP"

[@marcinwasilewski5414]

What's the point with de-doming? Better heat dissipation? Why to do it risking damage of the LED?

[@cheule]

De-doming does two things: 1) increases throw (slight reduction in lumens) 2) lowers TINT That second one is why we do it. It will turn a slightly green emitter into a rosy masterpiece.

[@michaelandersen7535]

Do you do work like this on commission? I want to do an emitter swap on an s2r baton ii, but don't have the skills myself.

[@cheule]

I have done hundreds of swaps for folks. But I have never done an Olight yet. If you send it to me, it would be a learning experience. If you need I can give you the names of a couple modders who have done Light before.

[@kuyajayyoutubechannel6327]

Is there any change in lumen by dedom led?

[@cheule]

Yes, about 10% lumen loss (very rough estimate) but also a candela increase.

[@Aerox90]

What does the dome do? And why would you want to remove it?

[@StrangeSwag]

normally it gives a noticeable amount more throw. in the case of the 519a it introduces a much warmer temperature and a more rosey tint while giving more throw! it’s like a win win win! (it’s also easier to de-dome the 519a than many other LEDs so why not)

[@cheule]

What he said!

[@Aerox90]

@@StrangeSwag Alright, thank you! 😊

[@budgetlightph7814]

Thanks for this. Successful dedomed mine using this method. Quick question, is it safe to reflow dedomed versions? I'm afraid of damaging them when doing the transfer since you mentioned that the base under the glass is soft material.

[@cheule]

You can reflow them, just be gentle with the die as it’s soft.

[@budgetlightph7814]

@@cheule done the reflow and almost damaged the LED due to my clumsiness. Lol. Did it for the 14mm MCPCB transfer for my convoy T2. It turned out great. 🙂🙂🙂

[@itachii267]

Not sure if you're currently using one but a macro lens will help you get some super close footage

[@cheule]

In order to get this video out fast, I used my phone. I hope it was “good enough.”

[@mikelafferty5253]

Can you explain how dedomed leds differ from domed ones? Thx

[@cheule]

If you give me a couple weeks, I will make a Flashlights 101 about it! It's a great idea for a video.

[@brianmccloud1369]

No test after de-doming?

[@cheule]

Sorry, but this was focused on the process of dedome. If you want to see before and after measurements, check out my precious video which is linked in the description.

[@Hiasibua]

@@cheule most of your videos are precious 😘

[@ttonAb2]

What sort of cct reduction are you getting with the dedome?

[@cheule]

Good question! At higher start CCT like 4500K, I'm seeing a 1100K reduction to 3400K. At lower temps, we're seeing 500-800K, so a 3500K, might only go down to 2900K.

[@ttonAb2]

@@cheule interesting, so if I get my hands on a 5700k and dedome it would likely be somewhere around 4700k.

[@archery_bum]

@@ttonAb2 I think from what I gather, around 3800-4200.

[@joehoandroid]

On BLF John Slider has Pictures and CCT measurements with an Opple

[@archery_bum]

Nice video. Wish they’d just sell them with out the dome.

[@cheule]

I like the option actually!

[@jimmyross1672]

lol i did this by accident to my astrolux ec03 lol i somehow ripped off the dome sulfer jell pat of the leds and still work but now there blue leds instead of white lol so now i have a brand new ec03 flashlight with blue leds lol i was so mad when i did that i was trying to put the bessel back on and somehow it ripped the dome sulfer part off by accident and i want trying to do what your doing thats for sure but owell a brand new 70 dollars flashlight ruined so im going to try and buy some leds to repace these ones but i dont like taking apart the flahlight becuase there not easy to put back without ruining something lol but will see how it goes

[@jimmyross1672]

lol man im way to shaky to do stuff like this lol i can barely solder because i shack so bad lol