LED help

Dragonfish · 12-21-2011, 01:52 PM

I built an LED array using Bridgelux LEDs and Maxwellen driver and it won't light up. I checked all my connections and solder joints and nothing looks like it is shorting. When I first plug it in, all the LEDs light up for just a split second then slowly fade. I put a volt meter across the array and I can see a very small amount of voltage at first, then the longer I hold the meter to it the lower the voltage drops. I don’t see any amperage at all. Any ideas?

O2surplus · 12-21-2011, 02:32 PM

Is the driver dim-able via a potentiometer? If it is maybe there's a problem with your dimming circuit? A bad pot perhaps.

Dragonfish · 12-21-2011, 03:02 PM

Yes it is. I also tried to run the circuit without the pot, both with the wires open and closed. Neither option helped. I emailed the vendor but they are in China and I won't hear anything from them for a couple days at least.

The two white wires on the right go to the pot. It was my understanding that if you don't need to dim it you can just leave off the pot and it will just run at 680ma.

**Hoppy** · 12-21-2011, 03:26 PM

I think you do have to supply a voltage to the dimming circuit wires, otherwise it is the same as fully dimmed. And, if the LEDs are dimmed below their capability of running they just go off, which seems like what you have happening. Another possibility is that the driver is marginal on total voltage to drive the series of LEDs. That can also lead to them not lighting up. I had that problem with my Meanwell driver once, but could adjust the voltage a bit higher to solve it.

Dragonfish · 12-21-2011, 03:49 PM

I get what you mean, but even fully dimmed this runs at about 50%. Honestly this was a pretty big complaint about this driver, it also dims VERY non linear. A simple test though would be just pick up a replacement pot from radio shack?

Naekuh · 12-21-2011, 05:19 PM

lulz... reminds me of my led hunts at [Ebay Link Removed]

op, sorry to hear about this.... yeah i noticed 80% of the chinese vendors i had to deal with are once they sell and its over, they ignore...

The 20% which i go back to, respond and are the keeper in my eyes.

But it seems like u got a crap driver... i honestly would of expected it, and had a meanwell 48P on standbye if it was time sensitive.

but yeah i went though like 4 drivers from china... until the chinese LED vendor i trust tell me... "i like you, so i'll tell u a favor.... get the meanwell"

12-21-2011, 01:52 PM	#1
Dragonfish Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 288	LED help I built an LED array using Bridgelux LEDs and Maxwellen driver and it won't light up. I checked all my connections and solder joints and nothing looks like it is shorting. When I first plug it in, all the LEDs light up for just a split second then slowly fade. I put a volt meter across the array and I can see a very small amount of voltage at first, then the longer I hold the meter to it the lower the voltage drops. I don’t see any amperage at all. Any ideas? __________________ You had me at bacon.

12-21-2011, 03:02 PM	#3
Dragonfish Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 288	Yes it is. I also tried to run the circuit without the pot, both with the wires open and closed. Neither option helped. I emailed the vendor but they are in China and I won't hear anything from them for a couple days at least. The two white wires on the right go to the pot. It was my understanding that if you don't need to dim it you can just leave off the pot and it will just run at 680ma. __________________ You had me at bacon.

12-21-2011, 03:26 PM	#4
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (54/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,215	I think you do have to supply a voltage to the dimming circuit wires, otherwise it is the same as fully dimmed. And, if the LEDs are dimmed below their capability of running they just go off, which seems like what you have happening. Another possibility is that the driver is marginal on total voltage to drive the series of LEDs. That can also lead to them not lighting up. I had that problem with my Meanwell driver once, but could adjust the voltage a bit higher to solve it. __________________ Hoppy

12-21-2011, 03:49 PM	#5
Dragonfish Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 288	I get what you mean, but even fully dimmed this runs at about 50%. Honestly this was a pretty big complaint about this driver, it also dims VERY non linear. A simple test though would be just pick up a replacement pot from radio shack? __________________ You had me at bacon.

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12-21-2011, 02:32 PM	#2
O2surplus Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: yorba linda, ca. Posts: 435	Is the driver dim-able via a potentiometer? If it is maybe there's a problem with your dimming circuit? A bad pot perhaps.

12-21-2011, 05:19 PM	#6
Naekuh Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 884	lulz... reminds me of my led hunts at [Ebay Link Removed] op, sorry to hear about this.... yeah i noticed 80% of the chinese vendors i had to deal with are once they sell and its over, they ignore... The 20% which i go back to, respond and are the keeper in my eyes. But it seems like u got a crap driver... i honestly would of expected it, and had a meanwell 48P on standbye if it was time sensitive. but yeah i went though like 4 drivers from china... until the chinese LED vendor i trust tell me... "i like you, so i'll tell u a favor.... get the meanwell"