A8 SE max II

[craigarty]

Hi All

I have been using two A8 SE max II lights on a 443 aquarium for the last 6 months, they have been working well and I only run them at 52% intensity on AB+.

I noticed that on one of lights the colours looked off.

On inspection the lens had melted and both sets of blue LEDs were not working. Luckily I had a spare light as I purchased three but never used it as two have given me enough PAR.

I decided to dismantle the light and have a look.

The LED board, doesn't seem to be touching the heatsink with no signs of thermal paste. Looks like the lens pushes the plate to the heatsink when screwed into the board Would this cause an overheating issue?

Two of the diodes (SS54) controlling the blues and deep blues had blown. I have ordered two replacement diodes so will see if I can fix it.

If the repair works I think I will have to buy the XR30 lens kit as a replacement as apparently they will fit.

Has anyone else had the same issue? I don't want to burn my house down with these so I had better start saving for the XR30's.

Will update in the next few days.

 

[Jared Bryant]

Not that it helps you but I got 2 of these about 6 months ago and the first thing I did was apply thermal paste. Probably should look into applying this its very simple.

 

[JonoH]

This may help

 

[craigarty]

Not that it helps you but I got 2 of these about 6 months ago and the first thing I did was apply thermal paste. Probably should look into applying this its very simple.

Going to order some paste from Amazon, any recommendations? You would think the manufacturer would have done that from start. I will have to ask them why they don't use thermal paste as they keep pestering me to buy more.

 

[craigarty]

This may help

I have just been watching this, also seen the XR30 G5 paste replacement and they use dots under each LED.

 

[Jared Bryant]

Going to order some paste from Amazon, any recommendations? You would think the manufacturer would have done that from start. I will have to ask them why they don't use thermal paste as they keep pestering me to buy more.

I just used Artic mx4. I dont know if there is any real difference. I made a figure 8 with the paste and smoothed it out flat.

 

[craigarty]

I just used Artic mx4. I dont know if there is any real difference. I made a figure 8 with the paste and smoothed it out flat.

Thanks