ReefBreeders Actinic Channel NO WORKY (1 Viewer)

[malira]

I have two 4 year old reefbreeders 120w lights. both of the actinic channels have gone out.

I opened them up and every work except the lights themselves. When I swap components the white/color lights work with both electronics.

Each set of lights has a connector (red) that when I interchange them the white/color lights turn on with both but the actinc will not turn on with either.

Any suggestions.

Pics to follow

 

[chris85]

Do you have a multi meter? It is probably a bulb.

 

[malira]

Do you have a multi meter? It is probably a bulb.

Yes I do. So 1 bulb will take out the other lights on the channel?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[steveb]

Yes they are wired in series. The newer generations of the black box LEDs have a zener diode in parallel and reverse biased with each LED, which will keep the string working when one LED is out. I have an reefbreeders sitting in a box with the exact same issue btw.. I just have never gotten around to trying to figure out which LED is burned out.

 

[chris85]

Like steve said yes if they are ran in series. If you want to test it put the meter in the ohms position. Touch the leads from the meter together and make sure it zeros out when you connect them some meters will even beep when connected. Take one lead and put it in one side of the red connector then the other lead in the other side of the red connector and see what you got. If nothing get access to the individual light wires leave the one lead in the connecter and start testing the individual lights when you find where you have continuity it should be the light before the one that is getting contact. Let me know if this helps.

 

[malira]

Like steve said yes if they are ran in series. If you want to test it put the meter in the ohms position. Touch the leads from the meter together and make sure it zeros out when you connect them some meters will even beep when connected. Take one lead and put it in one side of the red connector then the other lead in the other side of the red connector and see what you got. If nothing get access to the individual light wires leave the one lead in the connecter and start testing the individual lights when you find where you have continuity it should be the light before the one that is getting contact. Let me know if this helps.

I cannot get a reading from either side. I tried it both ways on both sides. I even tried to probe each LED at their leads but some zeroed out and some did nothing. There was no rhyme or reason to the readings.This is what the board looks like. pic to follow

 

[chris85]

Ok well it could be as simple as a bad led or a loose solder joint. Put a jumper wire in the connector and test it at the connecting point to the board. Then retest the leds in question and make note of which ones don't have continuity. If you look at the board closely you can see which way the led are ran in series. You may have to take the board off the heat sink to check for maybe corrosion but lets get the leds ran down first. If it makes it easier you can text me 9853737459. Or if you want to bring them to me I can try and trouble shoot it for you.