Help!! I think I shorted my led dimmer!!!

glb · Jan 22, 2014

Oh no!! I have Steve's LEDs for my 12g nano and the two dimmer switches (one for blue/one for white) are outside the lid on the back of the tank, which is a totally dry area. While I was changing filter media all of the sudden my whites came on at 100%. The dimmer switch isn't working and my best guess is that a small amount of saltwater got on the wire and shorted it out. The blue dimmer is fine. As soon as I realized it I unplugged the lights. Sure enough, there was a small droplet of water on the (insulated) wire leading to the switch. I'm letting it dry out and I'll try it again tomorrow. But should I replace the whole switch?

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1390431079.295707.jpg

Here's a pic of the back of the tank. I'm freaking out! Should I put the dimmer switches under the splash guard? They'd have to stick out of a hole in the top of the lid which was unsightly, but if this setup isn't safe I'll do it. I do have a typhon driver I haven't installed yet so if the dimmer is fried I have an alternative. But could a short like this damage my lights?

Reefing Madness · Jan 22, 2014

The whole switch? You just need to replace that Potentiometer.

glb · Jan 22, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
The whole switch? You just need to replace that Potentiometer.

I don't even know what that is. Lol. I shouldn't be allowed near electricity.

glb · Jan 22, 2014

The switch on the top controls the whites. A little bit of water got on the wire. The other dimmer is fine. Problem is I can't turn the lights on separately so when they're on, the white is 100%. I'd been running it at about 40% as the lights are new to the tank (c. 1 mos.)

glb · Jan 22, 2014

If I install the driver I won't need the dimmer switch but now I don't trust myself.

Reefing Madness · Jan 22, 2014

You can use the driver to turn down the whites. Or replace, "the switch" which is a potentiometer.
Im not sure what range that one is though. Look on the back of it, there whould be a number next to a k.

Aquarium LED Dimmer Unit 12 24V CREE Pendant Strip Blue Moonlight Fish | eBay

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glb · Jan 22, 2014

Thanks everyone. I'll just install the driver. In the meantime should I just run the lights a few hours at a time so I don't stress out the corals? They're softies and lps only.

Reefing Madness · Jan 22, 2014

Yea, probably not a bad idea. Man you've had your run of bad luck today bro. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

glb · Jan 23, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
Yea, probably not a bad idea. Man you've had your run of bad luck today bro. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Thanks!

solar · Jan 23, 2014

Im pretty sure you can get a new Potentiometer at radioshack for cheap maybe 5$

glb · Jan 23, 2014

Good news. The dimmer switch is working again today! I'm still going to install the driver so I won't have to depend on the dimmers but I'm glad I don't have to worry about blasting my corals with too much light until the driver is up and running. Thanks everyone for your help!