Meowzer's LED build

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/387353/meowzers-led-build/620#post_3444599
BAD NEWS....Moonlights went out again, so apparently they are NOT fixed
do not know what to do now :( Danny is thinking maybe the driver.....IDK we are stumped
HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION????
with the led driver unhooked...why would it show a short in between the heat sink and driver when the driver is not hooked up to any moonlights????
He's absolutely sure that there are no wires touching any screws on the leds? No solder touching any screws on the leds? How is he coming to the conclusion that they are shorting when the driver is hooked up?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/387353/meowzers-led-build/640#post_3444662
He's absolutely sure that there are no wires touching any screws on the leds?YES
No solder touching any screws on the leds?NO THERE IS NOT
How is he coming to the conclusion that they are shorting when the driver is hooked up?It's when the driver is NOT HOOKED UP....When both ends of the strings are disconnected from the driver, and He touch's the wire coming from the driver with the tester and the other end of the tester to the heat sinks...it shows a short between the 2...ON BOTH WIRES coming from driver when driver is on.....we have no clue if this is normal or not
 
mr btldreef

mr btldreef

Member
^sorry not trying to get in the middle here. but THERE SHOULD BE NO CONTINUITY BETWEEN ANY OF THE WIRES AND THE HEAT SINK.
possible causes:
wire touching heat sink
wire touching screw
solder touching heat sink
solder touching screw
maybe a chaffed wire, the actual wire that is being tested, is touching/ being crushed against heat sink.
as you are testing that wire in question wiggle it around some how if you can.
otherwise, looks great guys. meowzer, danny, 2quills, and others that have contributed.... good work.
yes heat is going to be something to be worked on. this is why i have a canopy and closed stand to insulate. jager imo is the best heater out there. also any submersible pumps will help generate more heat.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK....I don't know how to explain this....let me try again
IT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT HOOKED UP TO LEDS.....And it happens to wires going to and from the driver
REMEMBER.....driver IS NOT hooked up!!!!!
all the above has been checked and doublechecked too
thanks....LOL....I am loving it so far.....I can not believe the colors that are coming off of my corals.....they are so flourescent....even the fish are too LOL
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Are the moonlights hooked up in this picture?

He has all power to the fixture cut off when he's doing the testing?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
1. Yes...the moonlights are hooked up in that picture
NO the power to the driver is not off....BUT it is not hooked up to the strings
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
If it dims rather than just goes out I'd bet its a bad driver. Something inside fails as it warms up. As far as the "short" If you are reading it on the neutral side of the driver it might just be the driver case is grounded and it's neutral leg is case grounded. As long as the LED strings are disconnected from it there isn't much you could have done wrong to cause the problem if there even is one.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
THANKS.....Danny has been thinking possibly driver......we were thinking about ordering a new one to try it out anyway
and yeah....it just dims......the other night when I tried it....it went on.....dimmed.....came back on......dimmed....etc.....then I unplugged it cause I did not want to cause a bigger problem
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
New driver is worth a shot. As long as you don't have any shorts to the heatsinks/frame then that seems to be the next logical option to me as well. Just wanted to rule out all other possibilities. Could always send an email to Mike over at rapid and see what he thinks as well, he might confirm.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I think we should have ran the lights for a while before closing everything up.......this just means we have to take it back down,...and I have to say...IT IS NOT EASY,,,LOL
Good idea Corey.....I think I will e-mail him....because IF it is the driver....maybe it is warranteed
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/387353/meowzers-led-build/640#post_3444847
I think we should have ran the lights for a while before closing everything up.......this just means we have to take it back down,...and I have to say...IT IS NOT EASY,,,LOL
Good idea Corey.....I think I will e-mail him....because IF it is the driver....maybe it is warranteed

ELN's have 2 year manufacturers warranty I believe.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Just looked it up....I got the ELN60 from Jameco....so I will send them an e-mail and see what they say....
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
How many LED's are you running on that driver? Perhaps you are out of spec? Worth double checking the math.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/387353/meowzers-led-build/640#post_3445064
I take it that you didn't fire them after they were soldered.....
IDK what he did out there....LOL......I do know he had them on........I am just thinking he did not leave them on for any amount of time
I think I am going to order a new driver...AND a pot....JIC......
I am in no immediate hurry though......the main lights are working GREAT....and I have the moonlights covered right now with a couple of portable leds I had laying around....
BTW....I AM FREAKIN IN LOVE

I only wish I could show you what I am seeing.......here is one of my my BTA's
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
BTW....I AM FREAKIN IN LOVE

I only wish I could show you what I am seeing
Lois those pics i sent you are FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
 
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