using old UFO with no fans... fire hazard?

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
I am wondering if my old UFO is a fire hazard ... the fans have stopped working and I have not been using the light since but I am wondering what would happen, are the diodes simply going to die off quicker and thats all there is to it or it can actually be a fire hazard? Just wanting to be on the safe side ... thinking of using the light again...
 

Thecouchlock

Well-Known Member
I would think that there is some chance of fire in there, I would let it run in the same room as you for like an hour and then go touch it. If it feels hotter than fuck then forget about it. If not I would totally use it LOL.
 

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
I would think that there is some chance of fire in there, I would let it run in the same room as you for like an hour and then go touch it. If it feels hotter than fuck then forget about it. If not I would totally use it LOL.
No I used it for 12 hours at a time but I would only use it when I was home and it was over a male for harvesting pollen. Now I am thinking of using it until it dies I simply want someone to confirm there is no risk of fire and that I will simply burn the diodes quicker...
 

bondoman

Well-Known Member
I think the question should be, if someone on RIU told you it was completely safe, would you trust them?
 

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
I think the question should be, if someone on RIU told you it was completely safe, would you trust them?
If its someone that I have been interacting with for years, I would. There is a fairly long list of them in the LED sub section.
 

IGROWLED

Member
Cheap led grow lights use minimal heatsinks (if any at all really) without the fans to cool it the internals are going to get DAMN hot. Odds are it would simply burn out the led's before starting a fire, But is that a risk you are willing to take when you are gone or sleeping? Personally I would think the peace of mind is worth the $150+/- that you paid knowing there is even a minimal chance of a fire. IMHO.
 

Ringsixty

Well-Known Member
Open the damn thing and go get a new fan. Cheaper to replace the fan then burn down your home. JMO
 

IGROWLED

Member
However if you were so inclined you could pop the cover off and figure out the fan size (probably 3x70mm) Once you knew the fan size you could go on ebay and buy replacements for around $10-$15.00 If you really want to make use of it then that would be my suggestion. Should take more than an hour to replace the fans and then you could use it with peace of mind. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3pcs-Brushless-DC-Cooling-Fan-12V-70mm-x-70-mmx10mm-7010-3pin-Connector-NEW-/190919313386?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item2c73ad87ea Since its used already i wouldnt bother buying high end fans. Or you could simply retire it and buy a better ufo http://www.evolutiongrowled.com/shop-evolution.html#!/~/product/category=0&id=30692070
The higher quality ones use a single large high quality fan, And are also a lot quieter. Either way I definitely wouldnt feel very comfortable knowingly running a led grow light with failed fans if it were me sleeping in the next room. Be Safe.
 

Bad Karma

Well-Known Member
I would also be concerned about the extra heat given off by the unit in my grow space.
Either replace the fans as mentioned above (well done, IGROW), or don't use is at all, because it really is a fire hazard.
I'd hate to see any harm to come to you and yours, Santa.
 

mc130p

Well-Known Member
Not trying to hijack, but I have 1 of 3 fans that died on my DS100.... I am still using it (only the reds though, 1 switch on) because it seemed like the two fans still moved a lot of air. Do you think guys I should shelve the light until I can replace the fan? It's almost 2 years old, so it's worked well for quite a long time now.
 

IGROWLED

Member
Not trying to hijack, but I have 1 of 3 fans that died on my DS100.... I am still using it (only the reds though, 1 switch on) because it seemed like the two fans still moved a lot of air. Do you think guys I should shelve the light until I can replace the fan? It's almost 2 years old, so it's worked well for quite a long time now.
Now worries, Were all here for information in one regard or another. My humble opinion would be to use your own judgement. If 2/3 fans are still working well and the unit doesnt appear to be getting hot than you are probably ok. A word of caution though, Should you continue to use it be sure to be aware of and monitor the remaining fans. with 66% of its intended cooling it will probably remain stable temp wise, Should another fan fail though odds are it will begin overheating and become a fire danger. If I were you I would looking into replacing the fans (all 3) sooner than later. since fans are relatively cheap and the remaining 2 are likely close to failure as well I would just replace them all. Remember heat is the enemy with led's. So running with reduced cooling will also likely lead to a shortened lifespan.
 

IGROWLED

Member
Hope that was helpful mc130p. Hate for you to loose a working light over $10 of readily available parts. Or even worse in the event of a unlikely fire, Your home is worth more than $10 and a half hour of work, Not to mention your life!
 

IGROWLED

Member
all 3 fans not working --> faulty driver
Also a possibility, But with a presumably old and well used imported light its not unlikely that all 3 fan died out. From what ive seen and heard the cheap china lights (ebay, allibaba, etc) use bottom barrel fan and power supplies. So i guess its just a question of which died first. If you decide to open it up I would check the driver with a voltmeter to see if thats the culprit before attempting to replace it. Cheap dc fans usually lack ball bearings, combined with extended periods of use make fan failure a distinct possibility.
 

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
ok well I guess that answer my question, I was under the impression the diodes would simply die off I thought it wouldnt be a fire hazard but I am glad I ask anyway. A faulty driver in the ufo is probably not worth replacing. I will keep using it over my males from time to time when I am home ... Thank you all!
 

gu420

Well-Known Member
If you can plug it into a gfi outlet. So if it does get so hot it melts the wires and shorts out at all, the GFI outlet will shut it down hopefully before anything major happens.
 
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