I have a question about a cheap Chinese black box.

sbash · Sep 9, 2017

Aidanwolf said:
180w, 60 led

Okay cool... Worse case, we have to wait until next week when I can rip one of mine apart to see how it all goes together

Aidanwolf · Sep 9, 2017

Alright cool

sbash · Sep 17, 2017

Alright, as promised... it looks like this is the driver you need (and it comes with the dimmer):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30x3w-led-d...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I needed another light on my frag tank, so I ended up buying another light fixture (which is the one you guys are looking to 'build')...

Aidanwolf · Sep 17, 2017

Okay cool thanks

Aidanwolf · Sep 17, 2017

How would you install it?

rcpalmer1 · Sep 17, 2017

sbash said:
Alright, as promised... it looks like this is the driver you need (and it comes with the dimmer):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30x3w-led-driver-pwm-600ma-/231854297929?_ul=BR&nma=true&si=am%2BaeR3J8wQUN9G4TEo6j1SFxL0%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I needed another light on my frag tank, so I ended up buying another light fixture (which is the one you guys are looking to 'build')...

Thank you, this helps, it gives me something to search for. Your drivers are 550mA. The link you sent looks like a 600mA. Do you know what the difference is? I will need four so I was looking at one of these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-30x3w-Di...003494?hash=item35f41ffbe6:g:v10AAOSwYHxWKZ3i

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-30x3w-Di...019467?hash=item35f4203a4b:g:v10AAOSwYHxWKZ3i

sbash · Sep 17, 2017

rcpalmer1 said:
Thank you, this helps, it gives me something to search for. Your drivers are 550mA. The link you sent looks like a 600mA. Do you know what the difference is?

50 milliamps

The model number is the same, perhaps there is an adjustment made, or it is just plain mis-information; or perhaps there is a range tolerance. Most of the LED bars/pucks I build are 300mA using the same LEDs, which are spec'ed at 400-500mA.... Someone with a real background in electric theory would be better to answer that...

However, you are right, if the current is higher, you do run the risk of burning out the diodes...

Anyway, your second link would be the best bet. However, look carefully for markings when you open yours up again. Match it to those specs... Worse case, you would be safer with the lower current...

sbash · Sep 17, 2017

Aidanwolf said:
How would you install it?

This is a good question. The one I just purchased had nice connectors on everything. If that is the case with yours, then either you need to find the matching connectors, or you need to cut them off and soldier on the new driver's wires.

One thing at a time though... Get the replacement drivers (see my previous post for a better suggestion); then we can walk you through replacing them

Aidanwolf · Sep 17, 2017

Alright

rcpalmer1 · Sep 18, 2017

sbash said:
Anyway, your second link would be the best bet. However, look carefully for markings when you open yours up again. Match it to those specs... Worse case, you would be safer with the lower current...

I got 2 ordered. They cost almost as much as the light did. I went to eBay to look up the light I have to see if it had the specs on it. They are all gone. There were dozens of auctions with the same light. I wonder why they stopped selling it. I watched BRS video on black boxes. These have a better board. The lenses are not the focus lenses and every led and lens is sealed to the board water tight.

rcpalmer1 · Oct 6, 2017

I got the new driver in I wired it up and it didn't work. I then noticed the factory wiring had the red and black reversed at one of the connectors. Swaped the wires and it worked. The driver is suppose to be 50-100 volt. I was getting 124. Not sure if that is going to burn out the light quicker or not but it is working now.

Aidanwolf · Oct 7, 2017

Cool, how does it work and how much did the drivers cost?

lauderdalestunner · Oct 7, 2017

I've had 2 on my 90 mounted on-top of the wood canopy for years. Keep the whites on the lowest possible setting and the blues no more than half. I feel I could fry an egg underwater if I wanted. I don't feel the need to spend $$ when getting good results. I do like the new features like the built in timers and remote control.

rcpalmer1 · Oct 7, 2017

Aidanwolf said:
Cool, how does it work and how much did the drivers cost?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-30x3w-Di...019467?hash=item35f4203a4b:g:v10AAOSwYHxWKZ3i
$21.84 each. It work like you would expect. Turn it down and the lights dim. Turn it up the lights get bright.

sbash · Oct 7, 2017

Great, thanks for the update! I was wondering about this the other day

rcpalmer1 · Oct 15, 2017

Sorry I hijacked this thread but I have been trying to figure out how to do this for months. I hope anyone else trying to fix these lights finds this tread. I just did my second light and videoed it. Here is what I did.

trevormass7 · Jan 17, 2018

Hey man do toy have a brand on this light, o have the same one. Or a website I could go look at to figure out the controls?

oreo54 · Jan 17, 2018

Hmmm...

The channel brightness can be adjusted individually from the brightest to the darkest by the button of the back of the lamp. And the controller has built-in memory function which means it can restore your last set when start up next time.

Battery inside dead (if one)