Flat top LED

[Dudeman]

Simple question:

I know you can buy flat top LEDs, but they are not real common. Is it possible to just sand down the top of a normal LED flat without affecting its operation?

[Dmod]

I'm not a leading expert on LED's but here's my 2 cents:

The light generating part of the LED is a diode that's buried in the bottom of the package.  The curved package is a plastic lens designed to channel and spread the light.  Altering it's shape would affect the beam pattern and light output.

As long as you don't sand down to the diode, the LED will continue to function but you're likely to reduce the light inensity.

edit::  I guess I should have added that flat LED's are readily available from electronic parts distributors.  Try Digi-Key (www.digikey.com).  Here's a link to their catalog.  The diode models in Figures 1,2, and 3 are all flat-top.

[Dudeman]

That's what I was thinking.

[waveryder]

I get mine off ebay very cheap! The place is called "amigos of china" very quick delivery. Ive tried sanding down standard LED's but wasnt happy with the results. The flat tops look more like someone has literally cut the rounded tip off.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

"amigos of china"

   Interesting name.