Fixing LEDs?
- Thread starter MrToad69
- Start date
Boatguy
Well-Known Member
You should check the output side of the driver with your multimeter. Just set it to vdc and check for voltage.
Would be a waste of money to buy one and find out its not the driver.
Rocket Soul
Well-Known Member
For the first one, the second is 120w. Same search term different wattage
Rocket Soul
Well-Known Member
But he has driver spec printed on the driver. But your right, making sure.
Boatguy
Well-Known Member
If that light is only a single series string, one bad diode would turn out the lights.
He has a multimeter, and should learn to use it. Worst that could happen would be to blow the fuse in the meter.
MrToad69
Well-Known Member
Thanks gang...
I'm gonna take a break..It's saturday morning..My head hurts and I feel like I'm wasting your time at this point..
I'll dig around again later and see if I can find some more info..
The fact that this has happened to 3 of
4 lights I had stored in the cold garage over winter -30 C for a week is what
gives me the impression it's
Components in the driver..Only the grow side is not working..Head scratcher..
Just dreading digging through my boxes to find my multimeter that will only speak to me in the equivalent
Of German ...
Appreciate the help..
I'm gonna take a break..It's saturday morning..My head hurts and I feel like I'm wasting your time at this point..
I'll dig around again later and see if I can find some more info..
The fact that this has happened to 3 of
4 lights I had stored in the cold garage over winter -30 C for a week is what
gives me the impression it's
Components in the driver..Only the grow side is not working..Head scratcher..
Just dreading digging through my boxes to find my multimeter that will only speak to me in the equivalent
Of German ...
Appreciate the help..
Boatguy
Well-Known Member
If it is digital, it will say vdc on the screen when you have the dial in the right position. It is so simple, you will wonder why you've never used it before.Thanks gang...
I'm gonna take a break..It's saturday morning..My head hurts and I feel like I'm wasting your time at this point..
I'll dig around again later and see if I can find some more info..
The fact that this has happened to 3 of
4 lights I had stored in the cold garage over winter -30 C for a week is what
gives me the impression it's
Components in the driver..Only the grow side is not working..Head scratcher..
Just dreading digging through my boxes to find my multimeter that will only speak to me in the equivalent
Of German ...
Appreciate the help..
MrToad69
Well-Known Member
Back to my bug hunt...
Here's some snaps...including the questionable diode on the light..interestingly enough there are several diodes that look like this..
Is this normal? Im assuming not...AND..how difficult is it to replace diodes if they are in fact the problem..?
Down another rabbit hole
Here's some snaps...including the questionable diode on the light..interestingly enough there are several diodes that look like this..
Is this normal? Im assuming not...AND..how difficult is it to replace diodes if they are in fact the problem..?
Down another rabbit hole
Attachments
MrToad69
Well-Known Member
GB
I was looking for help...You've obviously got nothing useful to add so move along..
If it was one light..fine..Easy to chuck and buy another...But to replace 3 light of the equivalent...probably $500+ bucks...
If there is some hack to salvage something from them ...I'm looking for options..Not to mention..I dont mind a project
I was looking for help...You've obviously got nothing useful to add so move along..
If it was one light..fine..Easy to chuck and buy another...But to replace 3 light of the equivalent...probably $500+ bucks...
If there is some hack to salvage something from them ...I'm looking for options..Not to mention..I dont mind a project
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
@GBAUTO is right though. I mean honestly I don't think your qualified to retro these lights, since you spent the first two pages calling a driver a ballast. Not trying to be rude, but I think it's time to buy something newer and better. Maybe get something with a nice long warranty this time.
420drummer
Well-Known Member
Could be the switch or the drivers. Would need a meter to check and find out
MrToad69
Well-Known Member
PJ
I appreciate your input...
No question, I'm certainly not a qualified electrician...Hence, my enquiries...Have you noticed the number of amateur growers asking for help to build a light set up? Or how to grow for that matter? That's what these boards are for ..right?
I'm of the opinion, we all start somewhere..and I dont mind doing my own leg work to see if there is fix...
With all due respect, both you and I have no clue as to the light's issue...so for you to simply say throw them out...well...I liken that to someone buying a new car because their present vehicle wont start...
My starting this thread is enquiry as to whether I can salvage something reasonably here...and hey..the dose of reality both you and GB have suggested is good..all opinions in making sure this isnt an absolute waste of time and money...that said...I would have hoped those contributing opinions would have suggested a little trouble shooting first to see if the issue is significant rather than just throwing in the towel...any amateur can do that.
Cheers
Toad
I appreciate your input...
No question, I'm certainly not a qualified electrician...Hence, my enquiries...Have you noticed the number of amateur growers asking for help to build a light set up? Or how to grow for that matter? That's what these boards are for ..right?
I'm of the opinion, we all start somewhere..and I dont mind doing my own leg work to see if there is fix...
With all due respect, both you and I have no clue as to the light's issue...so for you to simply say throw them out...well...I liken that to someone buying a new car because their present vehicle wont start...
My starting this thread is enquiry as to whether I can salvage something reasonably here...and hey..the dose of reality both you and GB have suggested is good..all opinions in making sure this isnt an absolute waste of time and money...that said...I would have hoped those contributing opinions would have suggested a little trouble shooting first to see if the issue is significant rather than just throwing in the towel...any amateur can do that.
Cheers
Toad
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
I get that, but at the same time it seems like you have been using these lights for some time now, and frankly I think they are worn out and past prime. Sure, you could prolly figure out the specs and hobble them together, but the reality is that the diodes are quite old, and likely only operating at 70% efficiency of how they performed years ago, plus it's old tech anyway. You might be able to fix them, or you could just end up wasting time and money. If you do fix them, at what cost of efficiency in the future?
GBAUTO
Well-Known Member
MRToad, I appreciate your tenacity.
Unless you're just completely bored out of your skull, spending ANY time or money trying to resurrect that pos fossil is pointless.
MrToad69
Well-Known Member
GB
For sure..Bored..combined with being kinda cheap.
I hate throwing stuff out. If I could make it work And make the time, money and light that would be worthwhile ..great.
After all Ive heard..It's probably a failed LED or soldier joint..happened on 3 of the 4'lights when exposed to freezing temps..and inly the growth switch was affected..Bloom side is fine
For sure..Bored..combined with being kinda cheap.
I hate throwing stuff out. If I could make it work And make the time, money and light that would be worthwhile ..great.After all Ive heard..It's probably a failed LED or soldier joint..happened on 3 of the 4'lights when exposed to freezing temps..and inly the growth switch was affected..Bloom side is fine
GBAUTO
Well-Known Member
Toady, I truly feel ya.
This is what I did with my original King 1000w fixture.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CgRDuqe9nGVfGq6y7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ygEhjri9WMuQLDDw8
After replacing the board twice under warranty and having it fail again a third time, I decided to see what else I could use for a light engine.
The drivers and fans were ok, so after a bit of research and some measurements, I found some decent light strips that fit the bill.
I stripped off all of the original diodes on the pcb and used that as a sink for the new strips.
The Vesta strips I used aren't the best compared to others available but they are significantly more efficient than the original epistars installed in the fixture.
Think outside of the box and use the components that are functional.
This is what I did with my original King 1000w fixture.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CgRDuqe9nGVfGq6y7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ygEhjri9WMuQLDDw8
After replacing the board twice under warranty and having it fail again a third time, I decided to see what else I could use for a light engine.
The drivers and fans were ok, so after a bit of research and some measurements, I found some decent light strips that fit the bill.
I stripped off all of the original diodes on the pcb and used that as a sink for the new strips.
The Vesta strips I used aren't the best compared to others available but they are significantly more efficient than the original epistars installed in the fixture.
Think outside of the box and use the components that are functional.
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