LED Diode smoking?

[saltyvixen]

This is a DIY led fixture i have and it worked fine the last time i plugged it up, and it hasnt been stored incorrectly. I just plugged it up and two blue leds lit up but started to smoke. After unplugging it thinking it was electrical the two leds diodes are now black. Do the two leds need replacing or is it something more serious?

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[saltyvixen]

Just in case anyone asks it has two of those drivers, 12 leds each

 

[saltyvixen]

no idea honestly, but i think something was on the diode cause after i cleaned it off it stopped smoking... i freak out too easy sometimes

 

[jdavid]

Not worth the risk IMO. ~$100 for a new unit vs. everything you own in flames (or worse)

 

[saltyvixen]

I know alot of times i ask for help or advice and then turn around and do the opposite of the advice given. My husband always asks me why i even ask his opinion lol. But i do take it into consideration. If i could afford so i would just replace the light, and the two tanks i have as well. Both are chipped. And nearly every piece of equipment because of the electrical scare i had. And i would get a drilled tank for less worry of a flood. Everything i have is seconhand, if not third hand, and so on. I love this hobby but i cant afford all the bells and whistles, and new things that have a warranty, or are supposed to work properly. So in regards to the light, i cant afford another one. They dont do payment plans on ebay lol. I think i let the led touch the plastic trim of the tank and the plastic melted a bit on the diode. Cause after i cleaned it no more smoke or black stuff.

 

[bulkrate]

You should have some kind of a splash guard over that array - a piece of lexan or the like as regular plexi's very prone to warping... both to prevent salt creep and any unintended contact with the emitters.

Incidentally, what current are you driving them at?

 

[saltyvixen]

i dint build them, so idk about current. I have a splash guard i got cut for me at lowes i just cant drill into the dang heatsick to mount it...

 

[bulkrate]

It's easier if you use a very small gauge drill bit to make a pilot hole and a drill press instead of a handheld. Maybe call around to a metalworking shop if you don't have one or access to one through a friend.

Don't forget to brace the array! LED's are not load bearing.

 

[saltyvixen]

what do you mean brace them?

 

[bulkrate]

Make sure the housing of the emitters is not what's supporting the weight of the drilling + heatsink as it's being drilled. Some 1/4" wood spacers or something like that.

Its a lot easier to drill precise holes between the fins if you place the sink fin-side up facing the drill, but many a DOH! moment has ensued if you don't support the metal from the other side that the emitters are attached to. They're crunchy.

 

[saltyvixen]

i was attempting to dill from the side with the emitters.