led not working

purkulator · 08/25/2015, 11:24 PM

hello

i just got a used china box off a friend and having some trouble with it now.

when i checked it out it was fine. when i brought it home i cleaned it up a bit and got some of the dust that accumulated inside the box. but, the blue strip will not turn on. when i flip the switch, the fans start on the circtuit, and the blue lights seem to lightly shimmer, indicating there is power, but when i turn them on using the dimmer nob, they go out. somtimes they give a quick flash, but they do not turn on.

someone told me i could be grounded out the wiring somewhere, but i cannot seem to find where.

i am thinking its either got to be the dimmer or the power adapter, not the wiring.

any help would greatly be appreciated!

colorful1180 · 08/26/2015, 12:34 AM

1.Double check the wires clip,if loose they will cause that issue.

2.There are 2 big same drivers in the box,one is for blues,another is for whites,swap them each other,if bad driver they will cause that issue.

Ron Reefman · 08/26/2015, 05:51 AM

Try switching the dimmers.

If the driver switch gives the same result, blue leds glow VERY dimly, then look for a short in an led. Take a jumper wire and jump each blue channel led separately. If you find one that you jumper and the channel lights up, you can try replacing it or just make the jumper permanent. I had this happen to me.

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 06:47 AM

Thank you. I finally have a. Electrical tester to see.

I have power going into the driver but nothing combing out. I'm assuming that could be it, but not sure where to find a replacement.

Also, coming from the switch, the negative runs into the dimmer and then the negative reconnect to a clip that runs into the driver. Once coming out there are two sets of wires going to the LED and one set going back to the dimmer. The ones going to the dimmer have no power on both the white and blue side. Is there a reason for that?

Isaacs55 · 08/29/2015, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purkulator

Thank you. I finally have a. Electrical tester to see.

I have power going into the driver but nothing combing out. I'm assuming that could be it, but not sure where to find a replacement.

If it is your driver try checking Amazon or ebay for one. Make sure you get the same specs for it though. If it's a 0-10v get that one. But I'm pretty sure it's a 12v. But you never know just check to make sure, because some are 0-10v dimmable drivers. I'm not sure if they are interchangeable though. Maybe someone else can chime in on being interchangeable.

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 07:43 AM

There are two different sizes.

White (working) -
Input- 100-240v
Output- 65-85v dc dimmer
Constant - 520mA
Max output - 45 w

Blue (not working)
Input- 110v-240
Output- 90-120v dimmer
Constant - 520mA
Max - 90 w

colorful1180 · 08/29/2015, 08:11 AM

how many leds on the white channel,and how many led on the blue channel?

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 11:44 AM

30 blues 25 whites

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 12:16 PM

I'm trying to test If it's the driver. But people I ask keep saying it sounds like it's grounding somewhere but I can't find anything

theatrus · 08/29/2015, 12:25 PM

Do you have a multimeter?

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 02:26 PM

Yes I do

purkulator · 08/29/2015, 02:27 PM

I have power when the switch is on going to the lights, but when I turn the dimmer it goes to zero

purkulator · 08/30/2015, 02:08 PM

So it looks like it is the power box all along. Thanks everyone for the help! Now I just need to find one...

Not sure how it is damaged from wiping dust off... Anyway thanks again

purkulator · 09/05/2015, 09:03 AM

so im still looking for a new power supply that could be used as a replacement. i am hoping someone could help me. its for 30 blue led.

the power supply that was used for my blue string is:

model: 100-a7 (pwm)

imput: 100-240vac 50/60hz
output: 90-120v (dimmer)
constant current : 520ma
max output: 90w

if anyone knows what i could use instead, that would be great! thank you

theatrus · 09/05/2015, 12:09 PM

The output voltage is going to be the problem. From the Meanwell lineup, this is only available for drivers on a 180-300V input. I'd love to see the topology of the original driver because I have this distinct feeling it's not isolated.

Unless you can source another dodgy Chinese driver, you'll need to use two and cut your string in half.

purkulator · 09/09/2015, 07:26 AM

thank you for the reply.

this is where my wiring knowledge goes a bit dark.

topology? as far how it is wired?

oreo57 · 09/09/2015, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purkulator

thank you for the reply.

this is where my wiring knowledge goes a bit dark.

topology? as far how it is wired?

Probably referring to the "guts" inside the driver..

As to a replacement, ebay usually has "similar" models that you can find w/ a deep search.. Problem will be mostly matching dimming types and if there is a fan output..
Still.. those big DC outs are not easy to find..

Closest Meanwell but will overdrive your blues a bit (700ma vs 520)
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...545099250.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/grou...253692003.html

your "working voltage range is around 90-108V +/-

purkulator · 09/10/2015, 08:32 PM

if you can see the picture...

the 120v goes into theplug and is grounded directly to the frame. from there it goes to the switch where it splits to the fans and the led drivers. first the negative runs thru the dimmer and then to the driver.the positive runs directly to the driver. two wires come from the driver directly back to the dimmer. and lastly the output to the lights.

yeah i cannot seem to find one that matches perfectly. if i have to lose a small amount of the light, that is fine. but, i do not want to over power them. i am just not sure which i should look out for. most of the ones that i have found only have an output or around 48v max and 1.5 ma.

08/25/2015, 11:24 PM	#1
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	led not working hello i just got a used china box off a friend and having some trouble with it now. when i checked it out it was fine. when i brought it home i cleaned it up a bit and got some of the dust that accumulated inside the box. but, the blue strip will not turn on. when i flip the switch, the fans start on the circtuit, and the blue lights seem to lightly shimmer, indicating there is power, but when i turn them on using the dimmer nob, they go out. somtimes they give a quick flash, but they do not turn on. someone told me i could be grounded out the wiring somewhere, but i cannot seem to find where. i am thinking its either got to be the dimmer or the power adapter, not the wiring. any help would greatly be appreciated!

08/26/2015, 12:34 AM	#2
colorful1180 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 191	1.Double check the wires clip,if loose they will cause that issue. 2.There are 2 big same drivers in the box,one is for blues,another is for whites,swap them each other,if bad driver they will cause that issue. Last edited by colorful1180; 08/26/2015 at 01:17 AM.

08/26/2015, 05:51 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Try switching the dimmers. If the driver switch gives the same result, blue leds glow VERY dimly, then look for a short in an led. Take a jumper wire and jump each blue channel led separately. If you find one that you jumper and the channel lights up, you can try replacing it or just make the jumper permanent. I had this happen to me. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/29/2015, 06:47 AM	#4
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	Thank you. I finally have a. Electrical tester to see. I have power going into the driver but nothing combing out. I'm assuming that could be it, but not sure where to find a replacement. Also, coming from the switch, the negative runs into the dimmer and then the negative reconnect to a clip that runs into the driver. Once coming out there are two sets of wires going to the LED and one set going back to the dimmer. The ones going to the dimmer have no power on both the white and blue side. Is there a reason for that? Last edited by purkulator; 08/29/2015 at 07:04 AM.

08/29/2015, 12:25 PM	#10
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Do you have a multimeter? __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/29/2015, 07:43 AM	#6
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	There are two different sizes. White (working) - Input- 100-240v Output- 65-85v dc dimmer Constant - 520mA Max output - 45 w Blue (not working) Input- 110v-240 Output- 90-120v dimmer Constant - 520mA Max - 90 w

08/29/2015, 08:11 AM	#7
colorful1180 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 191	how many leds on the white channel,and how many led on the blue channel?

08/29/2015, 11:44 AM	#8
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	30 blues 25 whites

08/29/2015, 12:16 PM	#9
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	I'm trying to test If it's the driver. But people I ask keep saying it sounds like it's grounding somewhere but I can't find anything

08/29/2015, 02:26 PM	#11
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	Yes I do

08/29/2015, 02:27 PM	#12
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	I have power when the switch is on going to the lights, but when I turn the dimmer it goes to zero

08/30/2015, 02:08 PM	#13
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	So it looks like it is the power box all along. Thanks everyone for the help! Now I just need to find one... Not sure how it is damaged from wiping dust off... Anyway thanks again

09/05/2015, 09:03 AM	#14
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	so im still looking for a new power supply that could be used as a replacement. i am hoping someone could help me. its for 30 blue led. the power supply that was used for my blue string is: model: 100-a7 (pwm) imput: 100-240vac 50/60hz output: 90-120v (dimmer) constant current : 520ma max output: 90w if anyone knows what i could use instead, that would be great! thank you

09/05/2015, 12:09 PM	#15
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	The output voltage is going to be the problem. From the Meanwell lineup, this is only available for drivers on a 180-300V input. I'd love to see the topology of the original driver because I have this distinct feeling it's not isolated. Unless you can source another dodgy Chinese driver, you'll need to use two and cut your string in half. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

09/09/2015, 07:26 AM	#16
purkulator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: fort lauderdale Posts: 15	thank you for the reply. this is where my wiring knowledge goes a bit dark. topology? as far how it is wired?