Need help fixing a Black Box

[Mario0240]

Hey Guys!

So I have a 100g gallon tank with two older black box lights on it. They just have the typical blue and white LEDs and two knobs to control both spectrums. One light works perfect, its extremely bright when both are turned up to 100% and it puts off a very nice color that's perfect for what I'm trying to do. However, the other light isn't in such good shape. The white works perfect; blinding white when turned all the way up, but the blue is weeeeeeeak... When turned up to "100%" it's probably sitting at around 25%.. Has anyone out there worked on this issue and have any pointers to fix it? I plan on getting new light next summer, but for the mean time i'd like to get this one working a little better.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The diodes on all Led fixtures will dim overtime. Sounds like the one had it's blues turned up higher than the whites for sometime.

The only way I know how to fix this is to replace the diodes with new ones.

I've done this with my black boxes this year and it helped immensely.

 

[Mario0240]

The diodes on all Led fixtures will dim overtime. Sounds like the one had it's blues turned up higher than the whites for sometime.

The only way I know how to fix this is to replace the diodes with new ones.

I've done this with my black boxes this year and it helped immensely.

Any pointers on how to do that, or where to get the replacements? Amazon I assume for the diodes?

 

[joseserrano]

I say just buy a new one. Not worth putting in the time or effort

 

[Mario0240]

I say just buy a new one. Not worth putting in the time or effort

Totally agree, buuuuuuut super broke right now due to the holidays and our second kido is making her appearance tomorrow. So, I gotta wait till this summer, at least.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

Diodes are cheap on fleabay. Know how to solder? ;)

 

[Flippers4pups]

It cost me around $65 total for 165 diodes total for three Mars Aqua units. 165w ones.

Yes, you can get them from eBay. Most if not all come directly from China and may take up to two weeks to get.

They are 3w diodes, if your boxes are a couple years old. Some new boxes use a completely different diode (cob). Older diodes Look like these:

 

[jsvand5]

Totally agree, buuuuuuut super broke right now due to the holidays and our second kido is making her appearance tomorrow. So, I gotta wait till this summer, at least.

You’ll likely end up spending almost just as much fixing the light as you would replacing it. If it really is the diodes that need replacing you’ll need to buy soldering supplies as well. I’m not really convinced that the diodes would be the problem. I doubt they would all dim equally at the same exact time. Regardless,even if you do fix it you’ll still be left with a very old unit that may go at any time.

Here is a used one on eBay that I bet you could get for $50 shipped if you use the make offer option.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Flippers4pups]

You’ll likely end up spending almost just as much fixing the light as you would replacing it. If it really is the diodes that need replacing you’ll need to buy soldering supplies as well. I’m not really convinced that the diodes would be the problem. I doubt they would all dim equally at the same exact time. Regardless,even if you do fix it you’ll still be left with a very old unit that may go at any time.

Here is a used one on eBay that I bet you could get for $50 shipped if you use the make offer option.

Pardon Our Interruption...

They do dim across the board equally with use.

Typical cost for a Mars box is around $90- $100 dollars, new. I wouldn't necessarily buy a used box unless you could verify it age. Replacing two boxes diodes will run you around $45 dollars.

My boxes have been running now going on 5 years continuously.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Last time I upgraded my diodes I went with the SB reeflights diode layout:

Corals have been doing very well since the update to the boxes.

 

[redfishbluefish]

HERE is the link to my DIY replacement for the blue LED's. If you have the skills and a soldering iron, you're good to go. And if you have the time and order the "Chinese" LED's that take 3-4 weeks, you should be able to do this on the cheap.

 

[Flippers4pups]

 

[oreo54]

Hey Guys!

So I have a 100g gallon tank with two older black box lights on it. They just have the typical blue and white LEDs and two knobs to control both spectrums. One light works perfect, its extremely bright when both are turned up to 100% and it puts off a very nice color that's perfect for what I'm trying to do. However, the other light isn't in such good shape. The white works perfect; blinding white when turned all the way up, but the blue is weeeeeeeak... When turned up to "100%" it's probably sitting at around 25%.. Has anyone out there worked on this issue and have any pointers to fix it? I plan on getting new light next summer, but for the mean time i'd like to get this one working a little better.

first thing "I'd" do is swap the drivers to make sure it isn't a driver /pot issue.
If it's a driver finding an "exact" replacement is difficult..
Second any "sort of close" drivers will cost you about 1/2 of a new black box.

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If it's the diodes then see above...
Replacing that "old style" w/ the newest (don't really see white/blue black boxes anymore) will give you 2 lights w/ a different look..
Even replacement diodes may do the same but not soo bad w/ the blue channel.
May find some Chinese vendor on alibaba though..

First make sure it's not the driver or dim circuitry.
Switch the entire thing then if it switches which are bad.. also just switch the pot board..

 

[Flippers4pups]

The Modified Black Box Thread

So, over the past year I've been changing LEDs and lenses to find a good spectrum, light dispersment, limited shimmer and most importantly less "disco" effect, on my 165w wifi black box. I think I've found a combination. I decided to keep the 120° lenses and mixed 90° beaded and not beaded...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[kgstei]

I know this is an old post but the first thing I would do is check to make sure the dimmer switch/reastat is working properly by plugging the blue lights into the known working white light side and see if that changes how bright the lights can get. If the lights work properly it has nothing to do with diodes. If you plug the known working white lights in onto the blue side and everything works properly there then you know it's not the driver on the blue side. It's the rheostat at that point I think