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Dart Den

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

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LED lights getting hot and burning out??
#1
Anyone with 'over heat' experience with LED's please post.
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#2
I've had two JD 13W fixtures burn up. I've since replaced the drivers and am currently using them.
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#3
I have 19 JD's (mixture of 9, 11, 13 and 17) and 5 G&G. Of those, I have not lost a bulb, though one lamp seems to have a few defective diodes. Overall they have performed well, but every hood I have them in is actively vented so I get good airflow. I've never kept them in a passively vented hood. The oldest bulbs I have are about 2.5 years old.

I had some early LYR light bars that burned out at a high clip. I worked with Todd to get them replaced, but I think they were eventually discontinued.
Jim from Austin | https://www.oneillscrossing.com/dart-frogs/
fantastica nominant | summersi | reticulata | A barbotini
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#4
Actively cooling LEDs is a sure fire way to extend their life. Unfortunately for my bulbs, I refuse to put 12V fans into all of my Exo hoods.
The newer bulbs are vented on the ends, allowing for some additional thermal diffusion. I'd imagine this likely (hopefully) brings the temps of the drivers down to a safer point that doesn't require forced air flow for extended service.
I've noticed on mine that the diodes are solid. I'm yet to see one burn out in the years I've had them. The drivers are where I've seen them overheat and die an untimely death. I even had one start on fire inside of its Aluminum housing...
Overall, I really like the Jungle Dawn and Glow & Grow bulbs and Todd has been excellent to work with. I'll be ordering several more in the next couple of weeks. I just think it took some time and a few failed bulbs to get the design where it needed to go from its conception. If there were a way to utilize the massive thermal relief the case is capable of providing when used as a sink, I feel that would be the greatest step towards a long term solution for heat dissipation.
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#5
It's funny (to me anyway) that the very reason to switch over to these bulbs-less heat, and you STILL have to worry about overheating.

I guess more like, ironic ?
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#6
Phil, my frog room dropped by ~5-8 degrees when I completely switched from CFLs. I also saw a significant savings on my monthly electric bill (less power required, and less A/C).
They're a superior technology, but not quite perfected yet. We're close with Grow & Glow, though. I love those things!
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#7
Is it safe to say that the first generation jungle dawn lights have the 'increased' possibility of burn out? That the 'second generation' is much improved?
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#8
Maybe...if you are not cooling them. I know the subsequent design added a vent on the plastic end cover but it did not seem like that significant of a change that would prevent burnout and eliminate the need for cooling. I still have all my first generation bulbs (6 I think) and they are chugging along. All my hoods are actively vented with a $15 fan and and $8 power supply (usually shared between two neighboring vivs). I think fans are a wise investment for any LED bulb.

Remove reflectors, add a fan of you are using Exo terra hoods - well worth it IMHO.
Jim from Austin | https://www.oneillscrossing.com/dart-frogs/
fantastica nominant | summersi | reticulata | A barbotini
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#9
There is a temp decrease in the first and second generation Jungle Dawn bulbs. I haven't had any of the new ones go out, so I haven't molested any of the drivers to see if they differ.
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#10
I think I have four 9w and two 11w first generation models. I wonder if the lower wattage bulbs didn't run as hot? Most of my second generations are 13's or megadawns and G&Gs.
Jim from Austin | https://www.oneillscrossing.com/dart-frogs/
fantastica nominant | summersi | reticulata | A barbotini
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#11
I use clip fans for external air circulation across ALL my lights and fixtures year round. It's just a nice safe way to be.

I recommend store bought small fans mounted by clip or other means to your rack or nearby. No need to hard modify or otherwise get the fans 'into' the fixtures or housings. Go simply, at first in the hobby, like with any other thing. Use a simple store bought fan.
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