Hi all i have an led light go out on me, it started flashing then off completely, its a cheap Chinese made panel type and when opened has 3 small panels all linked to a small circuit board with a coil and resistors and capacitors but nothing looks burnt or smells burnt, not tested anything yet. Not brilliant with circuits. Any ideas to point me in the right direction would be appreciated
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

Welcome to AAC!

It would be helpful if you provided more information. A model number, wiring diagram, whether the LEDs are wired in parallel or series, pictures, etc, so we have more of an idea about what you're talking about.

 

Given that nothing looks damaged and presuming that the only paper you got with it was the shipper, since much of that China stuff comes with no documentation at all, we are not going to get the circuit drawings that many folks crave.
The first place to check, with the mains disconnected, is the solder joints on the back side of the boards. It is not the most likely place of failure, except for some suppliers, and it is easy and cheap to repair if bad joints are found.
The next stage will require good photographs of the circuit boards that are clear enough for us to recognize the components.
And yes, model numbers along with brand names may result in very useful assistance from other folks who own the same make and model.

 

Hi and thanks for your replys, there was no circuit drawings with the panel . I have tested continuity on the back of the board an all seems ok, i will upload some pics now. Like i say not great with circuits but can do basic testing and soldering

 

The one thing that is easy to check is the fuse, which is that block next to the power terminals. Of course, if the fuse has failed there is probably a reason, and so probably just replacing the fuse is not the whole fix. But it could be a start. Also, the connections on the LED panel may have a problem as well, and so they should be inspected.
Do you have a multimeter of any kind? Or a digital multimeter? Are you able to unsolder components without destroying the part or the circuit board? Not everybody does.

 

Since it started flashing and then went off this could indicate there could be a loose connection , particularly on the leds ...

you could try plugging it in and try poking the led wires with a long piece of plastic ... being aware of possible danger of shocks.

If that fails you have to find out whether the problem is with the electronics ....or the led strings .. this is fairly simple to do but you do need some equipment and rudimentary knowledge .

 

its a cheap Chinese made panel type

That's your problem.

 

Hi yes i do have a multi meter and recon i could remove the capacitors but not to sure about the sm resistors, i will have a poke around the leds for loose connections, spinnaker, it was only cheap so not too bothered but if just a couple of pence/pound resistor better than £15-£20 for a replacement panel, but ive definitely had my moneys worth

 

Really, if it was flashing, just on a brief time, that sounds like a capacitor failure. So the first thing to do is read the labels on those larger capacitors, since they would be the power supply filters. Some number (volts) and some number (Mfd), and then if you are able to safely read the voltage across them while it is powered and the LEDS are flashing. BUT careful because those terminals may be connected to the mains. Avoid getting shocked. OK???
And really, replacing all 4 of the bigger capacitors on the board will not be so terribly expensive if you can do the soldering yourself.

 

I'm guessing that the picture of the rectangular pan with the red and black wires is where the LEDs are mounted. Could be all in series or series+parallel. If in series,one bad LED would make that whole string go out. You could try scraping off the white stuff and testing individual LEDs.

 

An open connection on the LED board would not cause flashing. Possibly flickering but not flashing. That is a symptom of power supply failure.

 

Hi sorry had a busy day, yes was defo a flashing not flickering and then completely dead not even the fan moving.also am 100% sure every bulb was on while flashing, will do some more testing tomorrow
Thanks