Cleaning glass on blackstar 500

[thatsmessedup]

Does anyone know how to clean the inside glass on a blackstar 500? It looks quite dirty.

 

[FranJan]

Does anyone know how to clean the inside glass on a blackstar 500? It looks quite dirty.

Non-Chrome Blackstars come apart very easily, and a few minutes with a screwdriver will give you access to the glass. You may notice the silicone they use to fasten the glass is becoming brittle and flakey so you may want to remove it and refasten the glass to the case since you have it open. Or you could just run it without the glass, which is what I do on my BS240s and 5x60. Happy Growing TMU!

 

[surgedup]

I was thinking of running my bs240,s like that but was scared of dust getting on the leds or damage them ? what you think?

 

[FranJan]

I have a dedicated chamois in a bag in my grow room just for dusting my diodes. I've been running my original BS240 glassless for 6+ months no problem. Here's one way of looking at it; if you're the type of grower who keeps the panels very close to your plants, or have a panel that's running a lot of diodes that have 60 degree beam angles, you may want to keep the glass on to get some dispersion of the light. I take mine off because I keep my panels a little higher than some and could use the extra output, though how much of an increase I get is debatable. And finally, if you're a "splasher", leave 'em on .

 

[thatsmessedup]

Thanks for the replies. I have opened my bs500 once before to see if I could clean the glass but the wires where hot glued and I wasnt sure how to get the led panel out of the way to get to the glass? I wouldnt mind going glassless. Are there any pictures where you could show me how its done?

 

[surgedup]

i do mist from time to time but you would think it would help with heat dispersion also right? i have two bs240s and a 300 w chinese panel.

 

[thatsmessedup]

i do mist from time to time but you would think it would help with heat dispersion also right? i have two bs240s and a 300 w chinese panel.

?? Sorry I dont get how this will help clean or remove the glass.

 

[FranJan]

Thanks for the replies. I have opened my bs500 once before to see if I could clean the glass but the wires where hot glued and I wasnt sure how to get the led panel out of the way to get to the glass? I wouldnt mind going glassless. Are there any pictures where you could show me how its done?

Does it look something like this BS240?

 

[jubiare]

Or you could just run it without the glass, which is what I do on my BS240s and 5x60. Happy Growing TMU!

That's def your best bet

 

[thatsmessedup]

That's a very helpful picture. so after I get it apart that far it looks like there are 4 more screws, one in each corner. So if i remove those can I get to the glass?

 

[FranJan]

So if i remove those can I get to the glass?

Yup. There's some rubber trim running around the edge of the aluminum mount. You can pull it off or you can cut some 1 or 2 inch sections out on each side for little better airflow. You may have to unplug the diodes and power supply plugs from the mounting plate, and I recommend you do for easier handling, just make sure you remember which is which!!! Once you remove the screws, you'll be able to lift the plate right up and you'll see the glass siliconed to the case. That stuff should be pretty dry and you'll probably be able to pop it right off, just make sure the case's small metal retaining clips aren't helping to hold down the glass. Good Luck!

 

[thatsmessedup]

Yup. There's some rubber trim running around the edge of the aluminum mount. You can pull it off or you can cut some 1 or 2 inch sections out on each side for little better airflow. You may have to unplug the diodes and power supply plugs from the mounting plate, and I recommend you do for easier handling, just make sure you remember which is which!!! Once you remove the screws, you'll be able to lift the plate right up and you'll see the glass siliconed to the case. That stuff should be pretty dry and you'll probably be able to pop it right off, just make sure the case's small metal retaining clips aren't helping to hold down the glass. Good Luck!

Nice. I really appreciate the information.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Yes great info FRAN.......your plants will enjoy the extra 15% light output............happy growing

 

[thatsmessedup]

Well Iv taken the glass off my blackstar 500. I took some pictures so others will have an easier time. I cut the wires at the start because I did not see any other way. All in all it was not that difficult.

 

[FranJan]

Mmmmm panel porn. It's ridiculous how simple Blackstars really are. And amazing how dirty they get too! Can't hit you with the rep again so soon but big thanks for sharing TMU!

 

[surgedup]

hey man I have 2 bs240s and one 300w chinese panel I grow in about a 3x6 area you think I would benefit by taking the glass off ? i just really dont want to damage the leds or scratch them possibly ...

 

[surgedup]

hey man I have 2 bs240s and one 300w chinese panel I grow in about a 3x6 area you think I would benefit by taking the glass off ? i just really dont want to damage the leds or scratch them possibly ...

does it increase the penetration I would think ?

 

[thatsmessedup]

hey man I have 2 bs240s and one 300w chinese panel I grow in about a 3x6 area you think I would benefit by taking the glass off ? i just really dont want to damage the leds or scratch them possibly ...

Im not sure if it would benifit you, there are pros and cons. I did it because the glass looked not just dirty but heat stressed (has tinny blemished in the glass). I didn't want that to diminish the light output. One side effect Iv noticed is that the heat from the leds, when you place your hand underneath, is noticeably warmer. It would seem to hot to put your plants closer than 8 - 12 inches from the lights at a minimum. I would also think you would need to clean the leds once in a while. You would definitely need to be more careful as the leds are exposed.

 

[ClassAcura]

I use a microfiber rag and a bottle of Monster TV Cleaner to clean the inside and outside of my 600w.

 

[surgedup]

I took the glass off both my blackstar 240's they seem to be much brighter??!!! now I think the glass was just worn out hopefully I get a increase in yields now.... and hopefully the led's dont get damaged lol...