Superbright LEDs - High Power SMD Bightness and Hot Spots

[Philbar71]

So im thinking of grabbing a few of these to throw in my cluster.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2FWLED-xHP.htm

I currently have these and im absolutely sick of the hot spots. I hate that sooo much.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2FWLED-x5.htm

Besides sanding the LEDs down (which ive already done) can the hotspots be eliminated somehow? I hate to fork over $30 for the SMD ones just to have even worse hot spots...

[cherrington17]

sand the tips and hit the one pointed straight out with a black sharpie a little. (not completely black, but tint it a little)

its helped in the past a bit. The big thing is that one that points directly straight on. And those SMDs will give you SUPER hotspots.

[Philbar71]

I have sanded down the tips of the LEDs down flat. Maybe I'll try the sharpie thing.

but the SMDs have a 120 degree beam, wouldnt that be perfect?

[cherrington17]

it might be 120* but they still have a hotspot in the center. Its more direct into the plastic of the gauge assembly.

[Philbar71]

Would there be an easy way to diffuse the light?

[cherrington17]

I've used hot glue in the past. Easy to work with and removable.

[Philbar71]

Alright. Thanks. I'll get like two of them and see how it works out before bying all 5.