AI Prime 16HD Issue - Low Par

[Dou g]

I have 2 AI prime 16HD over my 40 Breeder. I recently got a par meter and while testing, the left light gives off about 100 less par (250 vs 350) than the right when ran at 90% a few inches below the water surface. I updated the software, reconnected the app. I visually do not see any differences. Anyone else experience this and know a fix? Also, before posting i tested par for each light channel and there was a large decrease for each one as well. Would that rule out any issues with a burnt out led?

 

[oreo54]

Are they the same age?
LEDs themselves can and do fade.
This is accelerated by heat so if one had a dirty fan or some other things that allowed the leds to exceed their recommended temp it could fade faster than another.

There are other things that could go wrong as well.
For " fun" I'd swap power supplies to at least eliminate one variable.
Par loss seems a bit high for it being caused by non obvious and non channel dependent lens damage. That said it does look like the UV/ violet LEDs may have some browning.

 

[Dou g]

The light with lower par is about a year or 2 older. Before I bought the second, I did have the lense melt at one point, but was replaced, didn't see any issues at that time when taking it apart but did not have a par meter either. Until recently the lights were ran around 40%. Since the lense melted, I periodically vacuum the fan filter.

Thats a good idea, I will test the power supply later after work. If that does not seem to be the issue I will take the light apart and post pictures of the LEDs without the cover.

 

[Dou g]

That said it does look like the UV/ violet LEDs may have some browning.

Also, which light are you referring to having some browning. I realize now I did not specify, but the light with the rusty looking screws is the one with lower PAR, the one that looks cleaner is the newer one that has higher PAR.

 

[oreo54]

Also, which light are you referring to having some browning. I realize now I did not specify, but the light with the rusty looking screws is the one with lower PAR, the one that looks cleaner is the newer one that has higher PAR.

Well I thought this on both but now I suspect they are the red LEDs.

The blue circles are red LEDs?
The red circled ones are just odd looking.

 

[Dou g]

Well I thought this on both but now I suspect they are the red LEDs.

The blue circles are red LEDs?
The red circled ones are just odd looking.

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, the blue circled LED is the Red. The red circled LEDs should be the Violet and UV LED. I'll have to check if it's actually discolored or just how the picture was taken. I would like to think there is not an issue with those since it is the light with higher PAR.

 

[oreo54]

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, the blue circled LED is the Red. The red circled LEDs should be the Violet and UV LED. I'll have to check if it's actually discolored or just how the picture was taken. I would like to think there is not an issue with those since it is the light with higher PAR.

Technically anything under 400nm doesn't count as par. Depends on the quantum sensor to a certain degree and the sharpness of the led emission peak

 

[Dou g]

I swapped the power supplies and still had the same issue. I contacted support and they suggested filling out an RMA. I purchased a backup light and will send the poor performing light out for them to investigate. Confirmed the light was only purchased 2 1/2 years ago new.

Regarding the LEDs circled in red in the post above, i see now the lenses are starting to melt there. I have some spares lenses around, so that will have to be swapped out soon.