Mars LED self Diode and chip replacement HOW TO

[A-Train]

What up AFN.... if you own a mars light and have any trouble with the Chips going out or burning up you have 2 options under their warranty. Send it to the repair center (may take some time) or they will send you the replacement diodes and chips and you can do it at home in the matter of 30 min....

If you elect to do it at home there is a video or 2 online on how to do it but at AFN we prise our selves on being a 1 stop shop so here's a little how to on diode and chip replacement.

When they send your replacement chips there's no instructions so here's a few tips to help...

Make sure you place the positive and negative legs in the correct location... here's how to tell posted and negative on a chip

The negative side has a little slot that looks like a minus symbol

Here's the tools to have on hand... I didn't need the flat head just extra in case

Tha main tools are a Phillips head..... solder. .. and the iron.

Start by disassembling the light... the 8 screws in the side panels

Next cut the small zip ties and un hook the electrical connections between the drivers and the board... make sure to label them so you pit them back in the same order or the veg and grow switches will turn on the wrong set of diodes

Place the upper portion aside for now... I reccomend cleaning the fans and drivers of dust as well


Then take out the small Phillips screws holding in the led board around the edges

Once they are all out remove the led panel from the fixture and turn it over

 

[A-Train]

Now locate your bad diodes... mars will send a pic of wich ones go where If you email the rep... here's what I got back from them it was very helpful

Place the hot iron tip to the soldered point and push on the chip when it becomes melted and it will push away from the point and become detached from the board

Once it is removed I add a little extra solder to the point like this

Then simply place the negative and pos leg of the chip to the correct point and place the tip of the iron firmly to it and it will solder back to the board

They will send diodes as well. It's a good idea to replace them both when already having the light apart. It's done the same way just be sure to match the pos and negative as well. It has a blue band on one side for reference

Once they are all replaced. Reverse the assembly steps and put the panel back together. Don't forget to clean the inside of the glass with windex and wipe the chip lenses lightly with a rag to clean them as well..

 

[A-Train]

Happy growing AFN hope this helps someone

 

[Marshydro]

A-train, you are awesome!

 

[briman]

A-train, you are awesome!

X2 on the @A-Train AWESOMENESS!

 

[Loud Pipes]

Here's what one of my 400 panels did just recently. One day one side went out and the next day the other side went out. The panel is about a year old and bought directly from Mars. I need 3 functional panels at all times so sending one in isn't an option. As you can see in the pic the diodes on the top do still have a slight glow coming from them. I was having a hard time getting the repair facility to send the repair parts out so I ended up ordering a new panel and then I will send the defective panel in. This isn't negative feedback because I realize that shit happens and I really do like the lights. At least now I'll have a back-up. Pipes

 

[A-Train]

That's a driver issue more than likely. It's a quick fix just plug and play. I would get tina to send NE driver if they still cover it
.. it's literally like 10 screw probably

 

[Loud Pipes]

Yup-that's what I figured but because I'm not an accomplisher solderer I was having a problem getting the parts sent. Even if its a plug in and you don't solder you will have a hard time getting the parts. When contacting the repair facility ALWAYS tell them you know how to solder. The received the same pic that I posted on here. I have already ordered the new panel and now I received an email stating that they would make arrangements to send out parts. I told them to forget it and I would send the defective panel in when I receive the new one. Gotta do what ya gotta do. At least I'll have a back-up

 

[Marshydro]

Yup-that's what I figured but because I'm not an accomplisher solderer I was having a problem getting the parts sent. Even if its a plug in and you don't solder you will have a hard time getting the parts. When contacting the repair facility ALWAYS tell them you know how to solder. The received the same pic that I posted on here. I have already ordered the new panel and now I received an email stating that they would make arrangements to send out parts. I told them to forget it and I would send the defective panel in when I receive the new one. Gotta do what ya gotta do. At least I'll have a back-up

Hello Loud Pipes, you can send email to solutions@mars-hydro.com . Our afterservice will help you take care of that. But as there are more than one section is broken, I am just wondering is there any sulphur being used or what is the humidity?

 

[Loud Pipes]

Hello Loud Pipes, you can send email to solutions@mars-hydro.com . Our afterservice will help you take care of that. But as there are more than one section is broken, I am just wondering is there any sulphur being used or what is the humidity?

Hi Tina
There isn't any sulfur being used and this morning my humidity is at 41% and it pretty much stays at the 35-45 range. I've been dealing with service@mars-hydro .com. not solutions@mars-hydro .com and I received another email from them this morning and they still want me to send the panel in. I'll try the solutions@mars-hydro.com. Pipes