Blackstar 240w defect/problem?

BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
I have 2 - 240w Blackstar panels and I noticed that on each panel it looks as if one of the center diodes are burring up. There is char/burn like marks on the inside of the glass but surprisingly when turned on and looked at, they are indeed still working but way dimmer then the other LED diodes. It looks like these are blue diodes and its the same location on each panel so this leads me to believe that it is a design defect.

I have no clue when this happened because both panels work and when on you can't see the scorch marks unless its off and your looking directly at it. To any other Blackstar 240 owners: please take a look at your panels and see if this is wide spread. Like I said.... I would assume it is due to it happening on the very same diode in 2 different panels.

I'm hopping that when it finally burns out, it won't take a row of lights out with it... But I will be pissed if after only 2 grows these things shit on me....other then that I have no issues with the performance.
 
squarefodder

squarefodder

Active Member
I've have heard of this happening before, can't remember the thread though... How old are the units. Id call Victor @ gotham see if he can help u out. So far no issues with my unit....crosses fingerzzzzz.
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Take off the glass/ cutoff or remove all grills on the fans and enlarge(drillout) the intake vents, will reduce the internal temps/check if you have an internal ground fault(rasser's thread)/ and it could be those cheap uv leds discoloring the pmma lenses...........will help your issues/ but void the warranty.........good luck
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
thatsmessedup said:
Yep same here. its the one in the center and it looks like it physically burned up. BTW I have the 500 model.
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I knew there had to be more out there! Ok, so is the bad diode still working but dim like mine or is it completely gone? I ask because I'm worried if 1 goes then it takes out a whole row.
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
PSUAGRO. said:
Take off the glass/ cutoff or remove all grills on the fans and enlarge(drillout) the intake vents, will reduce the internal temps/check if you have an internal ground fault(rasser's thread)/ and it could be those cheap uv leds discoloring the pmma lenses...........will help your issues/ but void the warranty.........good luck
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If this is heat related then why does it always take out the same diode, it seems like bad design or a defect in general, Temps were below average the last 2 grows (winter grows) but I won't rule it out, just concerned if the whole thing is going to go bad or not.

squarefodder said:
I've have heard of this happening before, can't remember the thread though... How old are the units. Id call Victor @ gotham see if he can help u out. So far no issues with my unit....crosses fingerzzzzz.
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There 2011 units so not that old but just old enough to not be under warranty, Yeah I guess I will call him up and see what they can do, I will switch brands if somethings not done....same identical problem on multiple panels is a bit bummer man!
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
If you don't think its temp related check the wiring to see if its grounded properly(Rasser's thread for specifics) and not shorting the leds............also it could be the uv leds that are degrading the pmma(acrylic) primary lenses as stated before/ known issue............good luck and be safe
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
I'll post pics this evening and see if that helps figure this thing out. thanks all for replying =) Also I fired off and email to Gotham to see what they had to say and will report back when I get a response.
 
C

cannabuilding

Active Member
Have the same problem with both bs 240 and bs 500, emailed victor about this about 4 months ago, he said that it wouldnt hurt performance cause it was UV spectrum 430nm (i think). He explained that he is working with the manufacturer to rectify the problem with the new 2012 models, Hopefully he is telling the truth, only time will tell.

If anyone with a 2012 has the same problem, please post up, atm running 2011 models.

peace to all and happy growing.
 
FranJan

FranJan

Well-Known Member
Hey Black Mesa, I've been checking out the thread and you've got me all paranoid about my 2 BS240s. I haven't had a chance to inspect my panels yet because of my schedule but I have a 2010 I bought from the hand of Sean (Gotham Hydro) himself and a 2011 I bought online from some vendor. Those protective caps, (they're not lenses), over the LEDs that are discoloring, should be able to be removed, but I wouldn't do it if your panel is under warranty or if you're not comfortable messing with it. I've been told that they also act as a conductor so if the LED goes out the whole row doesn't go out, so don't worry about losing a row if the diode fails, though I understand your frustration with paying good money for these panels, then having them go to shit before they've paid for themselves. I'm waiting for your pics and will take some of my own to compare with. I've been running my original BS240 non-stop for a year+ now and have never noticed what some people are discovering, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Oh and here's the thread with someone else having that problem.
https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/532005-blackstar-240-uv-problems.html
Richinweed seems OK, so you may want to PM him.
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
FranJan said:
Hey Black Mesa, I've been checking out the thread and you've got me all paranoid about my 2 BS240s. I haven't had a chance to inspect my panels yet because of my schedule but I have a 2010 I bought from the hand of Sean (Gotham Hydro) himself and a 2011 I bought online from some vendor. Those protective caps, (they're not lenses), over the LEDs that are discoloring, should be able to be removed, but I wouldn't do it if your panel is under warranty or if you're not comfortable messing with it. I've been told that they also act as a conductor so if the LED goes out the whole row doesn't go out, so don't worry about losing a row if the diode fails, though I understand your frustration with paying good money for these panels, then having them go to shit before they've paid for themselves. I'm waiting for your pics and will take some of my own to compare with. I've been running my original BS240 non-stop for a year+ now and have never noticed what some people are discovering, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Oh and here's the thread with someone else having that problem.
https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/532005-blackstar-240-uv-problems.html
Richinweed seems OK, so you may want to PM him.
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Thanks for the info, I will post pic's for sure since there are a few thread here and there but no pic's of whats being talked about. I received a reply back from Gotham stating that there are indeed others with the same issue and that it should be good but if I want I could have them replaced, which is interesting since there both out of warranty period.

I hope it ends up being nothing and wish there was a way I could easily just bypass this diode but I fear if I did that it would up the load on the other diodes. Also now that I'm paying attention.... I plan to clean the inside of the panel glass after I take pics and see just how fast it's creating that scorch mark on the glass. Thanks for that link, it appears that this troubled diode has made it's way to the 2012 model and not just 2011's.
 
E

Eraserhead

Well-Known Member
The silicone in the "UV" LED degraded and turned to a burnt amber color, that seems to be a normal thing to happen to 430nm and lower LEDs from Epled and Epiled, the LEDs usually used by places like Blackstar and other similar companies.

Eventually it will burn out, some last longer than others.

You'll also notice the "IR" LED willl fail at the same time or about as the "UV", except it wont degrade the lens before it does.

As of now, the only issue with the discolored lens, is the blocked light from the now colored lens, when it finally fails, a group of other LEDs will also not light up.

I'd cash in on that warranty asap, and ask them to not use the same LED to replace it, 440nm+ and 660nm and lower is better for those kind of LEDs, they wont fail as soon.

1 "IR" (actually it is not even IR, it is farred, IR is past 800nm, this is closer to 740nm) and 1 "UV" will not make a difference when it comes to just 1-2% of the entire panel. Just swap them out for something that will last longer if you have the chance to do so.


BlackMesa said:
Update - included some pic's, I only took pic's of just 1 panels because they both pretty much look identical except the scorch mark on the second panel isn't as bad. Keep an eye of for this.
Click to expand...
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
Thanks for the info, yeah the diode not only has discoloration but it looks like its melting away. I thought I was out of the warranty period but it looks like I have about a month left on each panel so back they go and I hope the replacements come fast because I will need them in a few weeks.
 
FranJan

FranJan

Well-Known Member
Yeah Mesa I just checked out my panels and the 2011 UV is running a bit darker and greener(!) than my 2010, which appears to be functioning as well as the day I bought it. Personally I'm not going to bother with any warranty claims on the 2011, (uhmm hey Eraserehead you forgot the part where they shoot 50 ft flames out the back!), they're headed for the veg cab soon, but you should go for it cause that one picture looks like it's melting under the foil. Weird, but then again quality control doesn't seem to be BS's specialty :).
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
Talked with Gotham at lunch and they gave me an RMA and claim that they will repair/replace with a quick turn around so off they go tomorrow. I was told that the radiation from that diode is too intense for the cap like I have heard before. They then told me that the current models their selling have a different diode and different cap, so this problem shouldn't exist anymore.

The updated diodes also look different I was told. But I'm happy that their doing a quick turn around because these need to be on in a few weeks. I will keep you updated on what I get back and how the return process goes.
 
thatsmessedup

thatsmessedup

Well-Known Member
I don't think mine is as bad as yours. Here are a few pics. Hopefully the other lights dont go out like some people are saying could happen.
P1013593.jpgP1013594.jpgP1013595.jpgP1013596.jpg
 
BlackMesa

BlackMesa

Active Member
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