How To: Swap Evergrow or ReedBreeders LEDs

imranh

imranh

New member
Hi All,

I really didn't like the green and red LEDs on my evergrow 24" fixture and decided to attempt to swap them out with Royal Blues and Violets. I was motivated by Sawdonkey (Gunner) and by this post from another site: http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/changing-diodes-213079.html

Here is my journey:

Supplies you'll need:
-Solder kit. Got mine from Radio Shack for $10
-Thermal paste. Again from Radio Shack for $3
-LEDs. Got mine from ReefBreeders
-Phillips screwdriver
-Motivation and patience.


View attachment 2939

LEDs from ReefBreeders
View attachment 2943


Ok, let's get started.
Step 1: Document your current LED layout and mark the ones you want to replace. You'll need to diagram this out.
Step 2: Open her up. Be gentle here.

View attachment 2940


Step 3: Remove the lenses (mine had the 120s) and using your solder iron, remove the LEDs
View attachment 2941
View attachment 2942



(cont.)
 
Step 4: Be sure to add some solder to the terminals and note the polarity (positive and negative)

Step 5: Apply some thermal grease to bottom of new LED and position on board with proper polar alignment.

Note: Step 5 is a b*tch. Finding the negative terminal on the LED is near impossible. If you look at the two side, the side with the longer metal terminal protruding from the LED is the negative side. I guess there is a minus sign near it. Good luck finding it. I just did longer = negative and it worked.

View attachment 2944

Step 6: Attach new LED to terminals on board and reattach old lenses.


Total project time: 2hours
Overall thoughts: I have NEVER soldered before in my life and it took me a good 15mins to get the hang of it. Tip: Let the solder gun heat up properly! I think I burned myself twice but it was a good learning experience. Not a difficult project and totally worth the time.

Feel free to ask any questions or PM me. Thanks all
 
Nice write up. It's nice to know that you can always change the color of these lights if you don't like your current color. I found it to be really easy.
 
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