Announcement

Collapse

Forum Rules *ALL NEW MEMBERS, PLEASE READ!! UPDATED!!*

First and foremost, Welcome to the Badcaps Capacitor Search Engine & Forums!

New members that have activated their accounts have limited access to certain features of the site until established. Members with zero posts have no access to the private messaging system. Also, members with zero posts may not edit certain profile attributes, such as signatures. New members also may not create new threads. However, new members with zero posts have full access to all technical information contained on this forum, and that also includes attachments (images and files that other members have uploaded), and new members that have activated their accounts are free to post replies to existing threads. If you wish to create a new thread, the fix is simple! All you need is ONE post to be able to have full unrestricted access, and that can be simply posting an introduction of yourself or say hello in THIS THREAD. This may seem a little strange, but it helps keep spam and abuse curved. Please note, that it may take up to one hour from your first post for the limits to be removed. If you make a post and don't immediately see the restrictions gone, be patient. The promotion system updates every hour.

Please complete your profile after making your first post, with your name, locale, and other info. It's nice to know members on a first name basis, and know where they're from. Makes for a much friendlier environment!

Posting rules for this forum will be STRICTLY enforced by myself as the owner/administrator, and my moderator crew.

Badcaps.net IS A BUSINESS!!! If you are a servicer, service center, or vendor of any kind in the computer/capacitor industry, you are NOT permitted to advertise, link, promote, or plug your business on this forum in ANY way! NO EXCEPTIONS!! This includes asking for "donations" in exchange for BIOS passwords or tech advice for anything! If I see you doing that, your post will be edited or deleted, and you warned. If it happens again, you will be banned. The only exceptions are the references to the companies quoted in the FAQ which the administration have added for the convenience of those around the world who have difficulty to source caps for their repair.

This also includes using this forum's private message system to solicit business. Members, if you receive a PM from anyone offering repair services or components, please alert me immediately! Myself or any of my moderators, will never private message a user soliciting business, for Badcaps.net, or any other servicer/vendor. If you PM me about repairing your device, I will reply and take care of you, however, I will not message you first.

------------------------------------

Posting rules:

This forum was created to be a technical support forum primarily for the do-it-yourselfers who choose to repair their own boards. Any and all technical questions are welcome!

1) Please use the SEARCH feature!! Your question may have been answered in another thread! Please search first and see if it has!

2) When posting a technical question, be as detailed as possible in your thread. The more information we have about your specific problem, the better we can answer your question.

3) Please use COMPLETE sentences, punctuation, and grammar! Nobody is perfect, hence, a spelling error on occasion is no biggie. However, posts/threads that are unreadable will be deleted. This includes any and all forms of 'ebonics', leet, chatroom jargon, and 'text message' shorthand and slang. This forum is not a chatroom/text message, please use full words and complete sentences.

4) Keep discussion on topic!! DO NOT HIJACK THREADS! It's easy to do (I've done it myself a few times...) Lets try to keep it down to a minimal!! If you have something really off topic, that's what the lounge is for!

5) Keep things civil! There will be no tolerance for flaming, bashing, hateful remarks, racial remarks, adult material of ANY kind, and so on.

6) THE LOUNGE RULES! The lounge is a place for off topic chit-chat! If you post something that might be considered questionable or something you don't want kids to see, or something you can't view at work/school, etc, please label that thread *NWS* or NOT WORK SAFE in the thread title as a warning. The Lounge is NOT moderated, anything is welcome... Feel free to post rants, jokes, cars, hot women (remember the NWS warning in the title), or just about anything within reason. It's an open forum! Please refrain from participating in political topics if you have thin skin, they can get heated sometimes!! Remember that we have members here from all over the world, with many different views and cultures. Political debates can turn really ugly, and really fast, and if they degrade to personal attacks and useless banter/bashing, moderator action will ensue. I want this forum to be a safe haven for technical discussions from all walks of life, so lets keep off topic discussions civil and friendly.

7) Spamming and spammers will NOT be tolerated or accepted in any way, shape, or form! Spam bots are instantly and permanently banned, and their threads deleted! The mod crew is really quick to zap spammers, we typically pop them before they even get to post. This also includes regular members as well. be courteous and not post spam. This includes links to off-site information that's not relevant to the thread at hand. Do not plug other websites, forums, or businesses in your signatures. You may do so in a thread if the off-site link you're posting is relevant to the topic, but otherwise, don't do it. If you see a thread which clearly a spam bot posting that we have not removed yet, DO NOT click any links in it!! Simply click the 'report bad post' button, and it'll be taken care of, usually within minutes.

8) Account removals & closures: Since no personal information is given in the creation of your Badcaps.net Forum account, requests to remove and/or delete accounts will be declined. Any requests for removal of threads & posts you created will also be declined. The reason is the missing posts can/will leave threads incomplete and fragmented. For the threads to be of help to others later on, information can't and won't be missing. However, if you inadvertently posted personal identifiable information in a post (such as an email address, real name, or phone number), please contact a staff member. In those cases, the post may be edited or removed, at the staff members discretion.

That's about it for the rules, the setup here is pretty loose. However, if you're caught violating any of the rules above, here's what will happen:

First offense: Warning by me or a moderator
Second offense: Banning for 1 day
Third offense: Banning for 3 days
Fourth offense: Banned permanently.

If you do something really dumb, or are just a troll, I will skip the warning and the temporary banning, and ban you permanently!

The rules are pretty cut and dry... However, if you have any questions about this policy, feel free to contact me.
See more
See less

Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • CapLeaker
    Leaking Member
    • Dec 2014
    • 6358
    • Canada

    Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

    Have an Aerogarden Ultra here. All growing light LED's in the panel are blinking.
    It started with an occasional blink here and there, but a day later it was strobing like crazy.

    First off there is a 120V AC going through that little wire to that LED panel! Take it apart and there is a little PSU hidden in there. Three Chmec? 25V 1500uF caps looking pregnant and their guts out. Going to do a full recap with Panasonic FR and that should take care of that.
    Attached Files
  • stj
    stj
    Great Sage 齊天大聖
    • Dec 2009
    • 29505
    • some shithole run by Israeli agents

    #2
    Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

    i would be tempted to relocate the psu to the outside.

    Comment

    • CapLeaker
      Leaking Member
      • Dec 2014
      • 6358
      • Canada

      #3
      Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

      Having the heat sink over the caps like that, will cook 'em good and they don't like that. I hate it when the caps are under a heat sink like that, as it always spells trouble.

      Comment

      • budm
        Badcaps Veteran
        • Feb 2010
        • 40746
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

        "First off there is a 120V AC going through that little wire to that LED panel! " That is due to the little blue disk cap between Hot and Cold side.
        Never stop learning
        Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

        Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

        Inverter testing using old CFL:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

        Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
        http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

        TV Factory reset codes listing:
        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

        Comment

        • CapLeaker
          Leaking Member
          • Dec 2014
          • 6358
          • Canada

          #5
          Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

          budm, the input of that PSU has 120VAC, which comes from the base of the unit. It has nothing to do with that cap. Basically there are 2 boards, one in the base and that one inside the LED panel.
          When I measured the 120V, the LED panel with the PSU inside was unplugged.

          Comment

          • budm
            Badcaps Veteran
            • Feb 2010
            • 40746
            • USA

            #6
            Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

            What I am saying is that if you measure AC V between earth GND and ether one of the cold side red or white wire, you will see AC (the current should be very low), and I have have seen that safety cap failed badly even though they are supposed to fail open circuit.
            Never stop learning
            Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
            http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

            Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
            http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

            Inverter testing using old CFL:
            http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

            Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
            http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

            TV Factory reset codes listing:
            http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

            Comment

            • CapLeaker
              Leaking Member
              • Dec 2014
              • 6358
              • Canada

              #7
              Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

              Yeah, I know what you mean now. Yes, I've seen these fail too.

              Comment

              • CapLeaker
                Leaking Member
                • Dec 2014
                • 6358
                • Canada

                #8
                Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                Got the caps, put 'em in ... aaaand? It works perfectly fine!

                Comment

                • dfbills
                  New Member
                  • Feb 2020
                  • 13
                  • United States of America

                  #9
                  Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                  Hey CapLeaker,

                  I'm seeing the same issue with a different board revision from the same year. I don't have those large caps like on yours. Not sure how to find the guilty caps.

                  I removed one of the heatsinks and took a bunch of pictures. I would appreciate any help you could provide to target the culprit.


                  Dave
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • R_J
                    R_J
                    Badcaps Veteran
                    • Jun 2012
                    • 9184
                    • Canada

                    #10
                    Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                    Your problem is likely CD1, but there are only 3 caps so just replace all of them.

                    Comment

                    • CapLeaker
                      Leaking Member
                      • Dec 2014
                      • 6358
                      • Canada

                      #11
                      Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                      I agree with RJ.

                      Comment

                      • redwire
                        Badcaps Veteran
                        • Dec 2010
                        • 3413
                        • Canada

                        #12
                        Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                        The SMPS has no feedback, so I'm not sure how it regulates the LED power? The caps look like polymer types for longer life.

                        I would suspect an LED going open-circuit which can make them blink and cut out. The LED's die glue or bonding wire will make an LED oscillate due to heating and cooling making the connection. But I'm not sure how many LED's at 30W this thing has or if there are resistors etc.

                        Comment

                        • dfbills
                          New Member
                          • Feb 2020
                          • 13
                          • United States of America

                          #13
                          Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                          Hey redwire-

                          In looking at the light board, I count 304 LEDs and 11 resistors (photos attached). They're permanently bonded to the aluminum board for cooling and stability with what looks like epoxy.

                          I'm still interested in troubleshooting this and admittedly a complete novice. What would you suggest for next steps? I have various voltmeters, but no oscilloscope available.

                          (I have not replaced the three polymer caps as I don't know how the three numbers on the top translate into something I can order online.)
                          Attached Files

                          Comment

                          • stj
                            stj
                            Great Sage 齊天大聖
                            • Dec 2009
                            • 29505
                            • some shithole run by Israeli agents

                            #14
                            Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                            first line is the series,
                            second is the capacitance,
                            3rd is the voltage

                            Comment

                            • redwire
                              Badcaps Veteran
                              • Dec 2010
                              • 3413
                              • Canada

                              #15
                              Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                              Wow that's a lot of LED's. It looks like 8S white, and others are 3S red or blue+6S white. Some LED's look multi-chip so I could be wrong. I was trying to guess the PSU output voltage.

                              I would pull and test the three polymer capacitors, or just outright replace them. SMPS IC power cap CD1 is 10uF 50V likely failed. Two output capacitors CD2, CD3 are 470uF 35V and there is room for fatter parts which is what I'd put in for longer life, whatever fits even to 1,000uF+ each. "535Z" series I can't find data on.
                              Consider adding silicone thermal grease to the two heatsinked parts for better heat transfer.

                              Comment

                              • dfbills
                                New Member
                                • Feb 2020
                                • 13
                                • United States of America

                                #16
                                Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                                Thanks, stg. I can't find either exact series, but these values are available from a variety of manufactures. Am I correct to assume the capacitance is measured in micro-Farads?

                                10 μF
                                50 VDC

                                470 μF
                                35 VDC

                                Looks like I can get Kemet Aluminum Organic Polymer replacements for $0.64.

                                Comment

                                • stj
                                  stj
                                  Great Sage 齊天大聖
                                  • Dec 2009
                                  • 29505
                                  • some shithole run by Israeli agents

                                  #17
                                  Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                                  that's correct - make sure the diameter or pitch between the leads matches or the replacements wont fit

                                  Comment

                                  • CapLeaker
                                    Leaking Member
                                    • Dec 2014
                                    • 6358
                                    • Canada

                                    #18
                                    Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                                    mine had three 1500uF caps! put some larger value than the 470uF in.There is enough space in yours.

                                    Comment

                                    • dfbills
                                      New Member
                                      • Feb 2020
                                      • 13
                                      • United States of America

                                      #19
                                      Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                                      Thanks all. I've ordered my replacements. Will post back after my successful install.

                                      Comment

                                      • dfbills
                                        New Member
                                        • Feb 2020
                                        • 13
                                        • United States of America

                                        #20
                                        Re: Aerogarden Ultra LED blinking or strobing grow lights repair

                                        I had a very successful repair and the lighting array has been working flawlessly for a week now. A sincere thanks to all that pitched in to help me out.
                                        Attached Files

                                        Comment

                                        Working...
                                        X