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I saw a newbie ask why is my LED grow light not working. On MAKER.PRO, I saw a grower posting for help. One of the bulbs in his LED grow lights blew and caused the other beads to not work as well.
He raised the question: Could the broken LED and its resistor be soldered off, and then solder a wire in its place to keep it connected? Have you encountered such doubts? Did you solve it?
Reasons for LED grow lamps not working usually include power supply failure, overheating, faulty wiring, faulty circuit design, defective errors in the product itself, or even damage due to moisture infiltration.
Whatever the cause, it is important to troubleshoot carefully and systematically to determine the cause of the problem. Let’s take a look at the appropriate steps you should take to fix LED grow lights for this problem.
Do LED Grow Lights Go Bad?
Yes, LED grow lights will get worse over time.
Like all electronic devices, LED lights for weed have a limited life span and their performance degrades over time. However, its lifetime depends on various factors, such as the quality of the components, the environment in which they are used, and the duration of the operation.
Diodes can begin to degrade over time, which can lead to reduced light output, color shifts, and reduced spectral efficiency. In addition, the power supply to LED grow lights may also fail, which may cause the light to stop working altogether.
To extend the life of your LED lights for the flowering stage, it is important to use them under the recommended operating conditions. Keep clean the light and free of debris as well as avoid using it in hot environments.
Importantly, it is also a good idea to invest in a reputable manufacturer of plant lights. Because they tend to use better components and are designed to last longer.
How to Fix LED Grow Lights?
If you’ve ever handled bulbs on a string of Christmas tree lights, you know that when one light goes out, a series of bulbs in that string is out. Because these devices are usually connected in series, the series circuits are connected in parallel. This is why a burned-out LED will cause other LEDs on the same series circuit to not light up.
Continue exploring the problem on MAKER. In fact, you will most likely find that removing a faulty LED by unsoldering is not a simple task for beginners. It is caused by the heat dissipation of each LED and the way each LED is connected to the motherboard.
A friend shared his success in replacing a similar 1w LED in a nail care device by cutting off the legs and body of the LED and soldering a new device with extra copper wire tails using a high-wattage soldering iron.
Click here and watch this video for a deeper understanding of how to fix LED grow lights.
It is worth noting that attempting to repair by yourself can be dangerous and may void the product’s warranty. If you are unsure how to repair it, you should contact a professional or find an LED grow light repair shop near me.
In fact, the two components that are most likely to need replacement in LED plant grow lights are the power converter and the LED diode itself.
Failure of the LED diode itself is uncommon, as quality LED diodes from market-leading manufacturers such as Osram, Bridgelux, etc., rarely show failure. Usually, it is the power converter that causes the LED grow lights to fail.
You can place the light face down (the side covered with beads) on a soft towel. Loosen the housing screws with a screwdriver and place the screws in a safe place.
Pull off the front and rear housing again and slowly pull the housing apart to prevent pulling on the internal electrical connections. The internal electronic and electrical components can now be easily seen.
Here are some general steps you can take to troubleshoot and repair your LED grow lights.
- Check the power supply. Make sure the power supply is working properly and that the light is plugged in properly. If the light still doesn’t come on, try plugging it into a different outlet.
- Check the wiring. Check for any loose or damaged wires in the circuit of the plant lighting LED. If any are found, you may need to replace the damaged wires or connectors.
- Check the LED chips. They use separate chips to produce light. If one or more of these chips are damaged, it could cause the entire light to malfunction. Check each chip to see if it is working properly.
- Check the heat sink. Plant lighting fixtures generate a lot of heat, which can damage the LED chip if not properly dissipated. Make sure the heat sink is functioning properly and that it is clean and free of dust or debris.
- Contact the manufacturer. If you’ve tried all of these steps and your lights still don’t work, contact the manufacturer. They may be able to help you fix the problem or provide maintenance.
Why is the Recycling of LED Plant Lights Becoming More Popular?
As an increasing number of growers are using LED lights for vegetative growth, the need for proper disposal and recycling of these lights is increasing.
We all know that LED lights for cannabis growing are more environmentally friendly than traditional plant lights. However, they contain materials such as aluminum, copper, and rare earth metals, and broken LEDs are a form of electronic waste.
Recycling can help recycle valuable materials for the production of new products reduce the need for virgin materials and lower the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.
As a result, recycling LED plant lighting is becoming increasingly popular. Many companies and organizations have begun offering recycling services for these lights, and government regulations are being implemented to promote responsible disposal and recycling of e-waste.
How Can You Tell If A Light Fixture Is Safe to Throw Away?
According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, unless you are certain that an item is not hazardous, you should recycle it as hazardous waste rather than throw it in the regular trash.
LED bulbs, on the other hand, are much easier and safer to dispose of because they don’t contain any hazardous chemicals. You can just throw them away.
How to Recycle LED Plant Lights?
You can recycle in several different ways. Take a look at them all together.
Recycling through electronics recycling programs
Many cities and towns have programs or centers that accept electronic waste. Find a local electronics recycling program and ask if they accept LED lights for marijuana.
Green Citizen’s Green Directory can help you find the nearest bulb treatment facility to your zip code.
Please enter the LED bulb in the “Search” field if you have one. In “Location,” enter the address or postal code of the location where you want to recycle the bulb, then confirm and search. You’ll get dozens of results in a matter of seconds.
You can choose the distance of the recycling center from your location, ranging from 5 to 100 miles.
Check with the manufacturer or retailer
If you can’t find a local facility that accepts them, consider contacting the plant growth light manufacturer or retailer. Ask them if they have a recycling program or can provide guidance on how to properly dispose of the product.
Light bulbs can also be recycled at hardware or home improvement stores such as Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowe’s. Some of these will even take CFLs, but not fluorescent tubes.
Donate or sell
If your lights are still in good working condition and you just don’t like them, consider donating or selling them to someone who can use them. You can post a message on the online marketplace.
Reuse parts
If you are very hands-on, you can try to disassemble LED grow lights and salvage any available parts. Such as LEDs or power supplies that can be used for other DIY projects.
There are numerous ways to reuse LED bulbs, and it’s a great way to demonstrate your inventiveness. To decorate the bulb, you can use markers, colored sand, glitter, acrylic paint, and other materials. The bulb can then be transformed into one of the following.
❉ Fill the soil and make a glass container
❉ Use as a cute little vase
❉ Turn it into a kerosene lamp
❉ Paint and use as Christmas decorations
❉ Turn it into a wall-hanging ornament
Jayes
As a Digital Marketing Manager at AUXGROW, Jayes combines a passion for hydroponic systems and expertise in LED grow lights. With hands-on experience and a deep understanding, Jayes guides you through the world of sustainable cultivation.
