Failed grow light autopsy.
Added 2019-02-25 17:35:14 +0000 UTCBy a pleasing coincidence I bought a small grow light to look at right at the same time someone unexpectedly sent me a dead one to take a look at that is a very similar model. I primarily bought the new one because it looks quite nice with the medley of different coloured LEDs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfR9qAm9SsA
In reality it's mainly blue and red LEDs with a smattering of white ones and an infrared and UV LED to tick the full-spectrum box.
It appears the mix of LEDs may be a weakness in this light. That and the little power supply that is clearly being grilled inside.
Comments
Some people might like pink. Females, maybe. Maybe this guy <a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/pflugerville-man-not-sure-why-people-dont-like-his-homes-paint-job" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/pflugerville-man-not-sure-why-people-dont-like-his-homes-paint-job</a>
Nani Isobel
2019-03-01 22:07:35 +0000 UTCI can see it too, a bright flash on one end of a blue LED
2019-02-28 21:03:06 +0000 UTCHi Clive after viewing this I believe there was some form of electrical discharge across your fingers at 18:34 I’ve watched it quite a few times but it looks like a static discharge from the edge of the board possibly if anyone else can see it let me know
Tim Toone
2019-02-28 12:35:17 +0000 UTCWinning feature of the pink power lead is that ain't nobody gonna steal it
Gordo
2019-02-27 19:25:15 +0000 UTCAnd since plants grow on red/blue, the white/IR/UV are included why?
2019-02-25 23:27:25 +0000 UTCOn the first day of Christmas the RED ones failed on me ... On the second day of Christmas the BLUE ones blew on me ...
2019-02-25 23:01:41 +0000 UTCThe songlist should include "LED It Be" by the Beatles and naturally the full repertoire of LED Zeppelin.
Frank
2019-02-25 22:53:28 +0000 UTCI think I've seen small-quantity manufacturers of the aluminum core PCB, and I think you could do good enough preheating with a heat gun clamped in place. Still tricky.
Jamie Magin
2019-02-25 22:46:43 +0000 UTCAn approach to increasing longevity might be to buy the lights but then swap the drivers or sense components to reduce the dissipation from the LEDs to a level they can operate at.
Big Clive
2019-02-25 21:51:26 +0000 UTCDo you hold a service before giving these a proper burial? I am not sure if there is a non-denominational service for LEDs. I might have to make one up. After all, starting your own religion is where the real money is.
Mark Trombley
2019-02-25 19:25:43 +0000 UTCThanks. I've adjusted the title.
Big Clive
2019-02-25 18:51:20 +0000 UTCThe trouble with building your own is the PCB. The commercial lights are made on aluminum backed PCB for heat dissipation. Soldering to it is very tough and requires preheating and a very good iron. You *could* make lights from the COB modules, but you are still in a position of finding good ones.
2019-02-25 18:10:39 +0000 UTCThanks Clive. I'm getting fed up with LED lights going poof because they are being over driven. I wonder if it's time to build my own. I'd use decent parts from somewhere reputable like CPC, RS or Farnell. (Looks for capacitors, resistors, veroboard and LEDs).
Nuts 'n' Proud
2019-02-25 18:07:49 +0000 UTCI thought the same thing. "Autopsy of failed grow light" would be more clear. Or, even "Failed grow light: autopsy".
2019-02-25 17:42:04 +0000 UTCMy first thought reading this title was that the autopsy failed
Dave Treadwell
2019-02-25 17:38:02 +0000 UTC
