Copper tops for Kryton Groove

[olympus mons]

Hey fella's,
I am in contact with Sinner about having him build for me some custom all copper tops for my Kryton Groove hosts I bought from Grainde. He is also interested in getting in on the buy possibly. I am currently hashing out the details but here's were we are so far. Obviously the more I order the cheaper the cost.

Sinner has agreed to make them for me and can begin in 2-4 weeks time. Personally I want both the top that holds the diode as well as the focus knob in solid copper. I know many people here don't like polished focus knobs because of finger prints but to be honest I don't think that matters for me and this is why. My krytons are polished so they are finger print nightmares anyway. If anything the focus knob is probably the least touched part of the host as I am not really a burner. So I am getting these copper tops for better heat sinking but also astetic reasons. An all copper upper section would be much nicer and unique.

Next option is this. He can make them to be module ready tops rather than pressfit. Benefits would be;
a. one size fits all host build if they accept modules including 3.8mm which are not as common to find for Krytons.
b. keep cost down due to Sinner only having to make a bunch of the exact same thing as opposed to making 3.8mm, 5.6mm, and 9mm press fit tops.
c. could make Krytons a much easier build for some.
d. ability to easily change out the diode/module in the host of desired or necessary. not everyone has a set of diode press and extractors.
-Only down side I can think of would be the obvious. Not as good heat sinking ability.

The price will go down if I order in greater quantity but for my own min order of 5 sets the cost is $22 per piece or $44 per press fit top and focus knob set. I think he would be happy to make just tops for anyone that doesn't wish to have the copper focus knob.

I'd like to hear feedback regarding your over all interest in getting in on a group buy, pressfit vs module ready, and focus knobs made of copper.
I would be happy to organize the order and do the buy if others are interested. Below is a pic of the pieces that sinner would be making out of copper.

I want to add that I understand this isn't a cost effective idea for some but for me its not about that.

 

[crazyspaz]

Heck, why not just make a whole copper kryton? The original (aluminum) versions CNC'd from china were only what, twenty-some odd bucks a piece? Even if a whole copper kryton was twice that (providing it had a much more convenient 12mm hole), I highly doubt there would be any problems getting buyers.

But, back to your original question, I would rather have a whole copper top (top and focus adapter) made for 12mm modules. Or maybe brass, I think a red brass and aluminum combo would look great on something like a kryton groove :beer:

 

[Team Orange07]

Jeff I'm in on the copper heatsink and focus knob. I'm okay with set screw and made for 12mm copper module if the price will be lower.but I'd take it as a pressfit also.

 

[grainde]

Just a couple of quick thoughts:

Yes it is a little harder to build as you cannot simply add a module with driver from DTR, but the pressfit design of the krytons significantly improves the heatsinking capabilities of the host. With a module you add an additional interface with a very low thermal conductivity and this means that the module will heat more rapidly as heat must pass the thermal compound layer to reach the main sink. Most compounds have a thermal conductivity of 7 - 10 JW-1K-1 as compared to the 200 or even 400 JW-1K-1 of Al and Cu respectively. If you must go for a module set up, Id suggest the old press fit design Sinner used to offer.

Im not sure about this, but machining an entire host may need permission from the original designer of the host and this may incur additional costs. When Moh ran the GB IIRC he payed $ 10 of the $ 25 we all payed for the hosts directly to him. He said this was to help him refund some of the monies still owed from the previous GB, but some of that may have been royalties. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know.

As I mentioned to Jeff Id also be in for a few copper head sets. :beer:

 

[olympus mons]

Thanks for the good feedback Grainde. I didn't realize how big a difference the thermal conductivity was when using modules oppsoed to press fit.

So how much better would sinner press fit module design be? Is that just a matter of a tighter precision fit that the module must be pressed into with a vice? No set screw epoxy ext?

Thats a good idea.

 

[grainde]

Replied to your PM:

"Sinner's pressfit is so tight you need a vice to drive the module in; much like pressing a diode. No set screw is required and the heat transfer much better. Still use thermal grease to help get it in."

 

[olympus mons]

Update- My mate and I are building from the ground up an entirely new host design from copper. I can make the tops of my design also fit the krytons but there hasn't been enough interest for me to follow through with a Kryton specific copper top order as well.

Stay tuned this new host is going to really be something incredible for people that love GITD.