OK, and now a question: How many of the LEDs were failed?? I wonder about that.
I am asking to see how common multiple LED failures actually are. I have a large stack of dead LED tubes, and of those that I have opened and checked, several have had multiple failed LEDs in each segment of 24 surface mounted LEDs. And since they seem to be glued down they would be a challenge to replace..

I’m gonna say ALL were failed—before I pulled them I had went around with my little power supply you suggested, and tested each one. Which is kinda scary—HOW could all have went, unless some major current event, right? But another point, these things have been stored in basement (controlled climate) for many years unused, and weren’t used very much for wife’s little band back around 2009. And she doesn’t remember anything happening to them. But the late husband took care of all that stuff…

 

I suspect the late husband used supernatural powers. The bad old LEDS should be blessed and buried.

 

Good news / bad news:
The good is that you fixed it.
The bad is you don't know why they failed.

What this means is it could happen again. It COULD have been due to a lightning strike near by. It could have been due to a flood. Could be a short such as a Tin Whisker. Never heard of tin whiskers? They happen. They're a major reason why satellites in orbit used to fail for then unknown reasons. There could have been a massive voltage spike. But the fact remains; you don't know why they failed in the first place. Hopefully the failure mode is a thing of the past.

Kudos to you for fixing your project. You have satisfaction in a job well done. We have satisfaction in having helped. You speak of wisdom. Hellen Reddy and Ray Burton wrote "I am Woman", sung by Hellen Reddy. In the song the chorus goes:
"Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything"
But you don't have to be "Woman". In the pains of your labor you've gained wisdom. Welcome to life. Welcome to AAC. Now you have something you can add when others have a problem. One where you have some wisdom.

 

Good news / bad news:
The good is that you fixed it.
The bad is you don't know why they failed.

What this means is it could happen again. It COULD have been due to a lightning strike near by. It could have been due to a flood. Could be a short such as a Tin Whisker. Never heard of tin whiskers? They happen. They're a major reason why satellites in orbit used to fail for then unknown reasons. There could have been a massive voltage spike. But the fact remains; you don't know why they failed in the first place. Hopefully the failure mode is a thing of the past.

Kudos to you for fixing your project. You have satisfaction in a job well done. We have satisfaction in having helped. You speak of wisdom. Hellen Reddy and Ray Burton wrote "I am Woman", sung by Hellen Reddy. In the song the chorus goes:
"Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything"
But you don't have to be "Woman". In the pains of your labor you've gained wisdom. Welcome to life. Welcome to AAC. Now you have something you can add when others have a problem. One where you have some wisdom.

Very well said. And love the song quote—that era was my favorite music…
Yep, it could fail again. But at this point probably never know—it may stay packed up in storage for who knows how long…although I did use the set at Christmas to light up an outdoor Church program for the wife. Might be some more like that. And for another 65 bucks I just might order another one of the “newer” DJ models to match the one I just bought—it’s not as big, not as much light, but it’s new and we’d have a backup.
My biggest “problem” is, I see something broke, I immediately go into a mode of “can I maybe fix this?” And the wife usually just shakes her head while murmuring “just throw it away and buy a new one…” Me? Never! Until I’ve beat it to death with failure and there’s no hope. LOL I just can’t help it, although I wish I could. I’d have a lot more free time. (Of course to peruse Marketplace looking for more stuff!)

 

A good guess as to the failure for all mechanism is that they failed short-circuit, so the voltage and current increased until a massive over-current burnout.