Aqua Illumination Light Smoking!

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What do you mean bad press?

Also you think the whole board is bad?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Dang the whole circuit board is just $50. Not bad considering the price of replacing the whole thing! AI - Support Us

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

So will I also need to replace the led's?

I cleaned out the plug hole and used my other power chord to see what she would do and the lights all come on for a split second and then it starts to smoke out of the power adapter hole.

 

[Kbra]

So will I also need to replace the led's?

I cleaned out the plug hole and used my other power chord to see what she would do and the lights all come on for a split second and then it starts to smoke out of the power adapter hole.

Just the board should do it. I see no reason the LEDs would be shot especially since they are turning on while the unit smokes. $50 and you should be good for a few more years!

 

[jonbar1]

I'm betting salt creep/mineral deposit inside the female connector bridging the pole and outer surface inside the connector. Put something acidic like vinegar or lemon juice, just a drop inside where you would plug it in. If it fizzes you have deposits, let it fizz, clean it out and add another drop. When it won't fizz anymore wipe it out and dry completely then try plugging it in. I use The Works toilet bowl cleaner since it's just concentrated hydrochloric acid and only a dollar. I doubt the board is bad, just the inside of that connector.

 

[jonbar1]

Oh yea, and if that does fix it, dielectric grease will prevent it from happening again down the road.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

What do you mean bad press?

Also you think the whole board is bad?

This forum post is bad press for AI. Stuff like this is scary and may give some to rethink a purchase.

The whole board looks ok however the fix would be to simply swap out the board and for 50 bucks not bad.

The LEDs should be fine as long as there is no salt creep.

Bill

 

[cdness]

I would get the new board and keep the old one. Take it to Radio Shack and see if they can get you a new power plug. If they can, solder the new one on and you'll have a spare board for the next time it happens.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks guys. I ordered the board today so we shall see!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Well here is the final chapter (hopefully) in the smoking light saga!

As you know I figured the circuit board was fried due to water or salt creep that somehow got in there. I order a new board and power supply from AI for a total of $110. Here are some pics.

These screws in the old board had to be removed.

New part had to be plugged in tight and this was easy.

Screws back in!

Part plugged in.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

And now for the final test!

Oh yea!!

I must say this was very easy and took me about 5 minutes to replace. Very happy.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

BTW I am terrible at stuff like this and know zero about led's, etc. If I can do it, anyone can!

 

[BarbH]

Good to hear that you got it working again and was an easy fix :smile:

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks Barbara!

 

[xcorallusx]

How far are your lights above the water?

 

[bige]

Glad you fixed and kept a cool head. I would thrown the fixture off a bridge and cursed ai all the way. But your way works too.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

How far are your lights above the water?

Juts a few inches. But I think I have fixed the problem by spinning my lights around away from the return so no water aggregation gets to them.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Glad you fixed and kept a cool head. I would thrown the fixture off a bridge and cursed ai all the way. But your way works too.

It crossed my mind.

But this was my fault after all.

 

[xcorallusx]

I would raise them up, all you need is a fish to freak and burn out another unit by splashing.

 

[Bandomo]

Congratz on fixing the module Rev! Think of it this way, if you had any other light fixture, $100+ would be the price for replacing the bulbs (T5's, MH, etc.). So overall, not to be.