Intermittent APEX EB832 failure

[s_tooz_123]

For the past few days, I have heard my APEX energy bar's relays click off, then immediately click back on. The on/off period is very short (<1s). This may happen once or twice in a 3 hour period.

I have searched the posts but I didn't find any others reporting this type of intermittent behavior.

I suspect this is a marginally performing 120v-12v board that others have found to be problematic, but I'm not sure.....any insight would be appreciated.

 

[_AV]

Yes, this is the click of death likely caused by the weakening 12v PSU.
I have discussed it in my repair thread a few times:

Another attempt at fixing Apex EB832

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-xr30-complete-no-light-repair.792711/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-lights-board-level-repair.774331/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ai-hydra-fan-connector-repair-significant-corrosion.793402/ First off, let me...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[s_tooz_123]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did read your post as well as the post by @MadeForThat which you referenced.....both were excellent! Thank you for putting the time in to write it.

Based on the information in those posts, I already purchased and received the replacement board from Amazon to do the repair, suspecting the board as the culprit.

The one thing I did not see in either of the posts (maybe i missed it) was the intermittent behavior. If you think it is the culprit, I will move forward with the planned repair.

 

[_AV]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did read your post as well as the post by @MadeForThat which you referenced.....both were excellent! Thank you for putting the time in to write it.

Based on the information in those posts, I already purchased and received the replacement board from Amazon to do the repair, suspecting the board as the culprit.

The one thing I did not see in either of the posts (maybe i missed it) was the intermittent behavior. If you think it is the culprit, I will move forward with the planned repair.

Sure thing. I discussed the intermittent aspect of the behavior in a post to my thread:

Another attempt at fixing Apex EB832

I would think they would be as they are both 12v supplies. Looks like the meanwell is only 0.42 amps. Does anyone know the Amp rating of the other one. I can not see a fan hook up in the photo however, so it may need to be hooked up somehow different. Should be easy enough.

www.reef2reef.com

And as always, I must warn against replacing the board for this repair as you are effectively reintroducing same low quality components back into the unit, which will fail again on you when you least expect it.

 

[s_tooz_123]

Sure thing. I discussed the intermittent aspect of the behavior in a post to my thread:

Another attempt at fixing Apex EB832

I would think they would be as they are both 12v supplies. Looks like the meanwell is only 0.42 amps. Does anyone know the Amp rating of the other one. I can not see a fan hook up in the photo however, so it may need to be hooked up somehow different. Should be easy enough.

www.reef2reef.com

And as always, I must warn against replacing the board for this repair as you are effectively reintroducing same low quality components back into the unit, which will fail again on you when you least expect it.

Ahh...I found where you mentioned it...thanks.

Understood on the low quality board. I actually bought another replacement EB832 to replace the current failing unit as I wasn't sure of what was actually broken and I didn't want it to fail suddenly and be without a working one.

I'll repair the broken one (maybe I'll upgrade the repair to swap out the crappy caps with higher quality caps which you discuss in detail) and it will be my new spare, ready to re-insert into one of my two APEX systems if/when needed.

Thanks again for all your help.