ReefBrite Bar Teardown

[LegoZ81]

This is one of the first couple of batches of bars sold. I needed to tear it down to troubleshoot and repair one set of 6 leds that were not lighting.

Links to the full res versions:
http://www.legozreef.com/RB/fullbars.jpg
http://www.legozreef.com/RB/edison optofullweb.jpg
http://www.legozreef.com/RB/edison-opto.jpg
http://www.legozreef.com/RB/led driver.jpg

 

[Lytehouse]

that explains a lot

what caused the cap to melt

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I think that is just silicone, what happened?

 

[LegoZ81]

just silicone all over the place each LED strip is held down with silicone, things are just wirenutted and partially backfilled with silicone, things are taped in place with scotch tape.

I felt like dipping the end of the bar in salt water right after i got it :O
I had rinsed it several times in ro/di (just that part end with the end cap off) and left it for several days, but nope! lol had been running it over a year like this finally decided to tear it down and see how it ticked. basically the cap on the output side of the driver was not connected to the output side anymore, couldn't tell if it had come loose or was never properly connected. I soldered it back in place and now have a bar again running as new yippie! I now know what NOT to do when i DIY some 12" bars to mount between my AI's

 

[LegoZ81]

Here is info from Wiki on Edison Opto, I had at one time some info on the emitters but looks like I forgot to post that, I'll see if I can track that down again sometime.