speedball - transister heat thermal pads

[sparggy]

Hi Guys

I made a stupid mistake and when opening the packed for the transister mounting kit i cut through the thermal heatpad. I was wondering, I have thermal paste that I used to mount my CPU heatsink, could I use this instead of the pad ?

 

[MrPotatoSalad]

No, you want there to be a contact barrier between the TIP50 and heatsink. I believe the thermal pad is just a high heat plastic.

 

[sparggy]

I have managed to salvage the pad so might be ok

 

[Paul Joppa]

The pad provides heat conduction and electrical insulation. Both are important! I would recommend getting a replacement (find the replacement parts email link) - I worry the break in the pad could accumulate dust or oils from the air and eventually allow a short to the heat sink. That usually produces smoke and damages other parts.

 

[sparggy]

Thanks Paul.

Yeah did not really feel comfortable with it the way it is and I damaged some LED lights. So I have emailed Queen regarding getting spares and will wait until then to carry on. Will shelve the project until I can proceed safely