How to Repair a Reef LED Bar

If your reef LED bar has suddenly stopped working, don’t worry—there’s a good chance you can repair it yourself. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of diagnosing and fixing a faulty Alibaba SKY BLUE reef LED bar.

Tools and Materials Needed

Angle grinder
Phillips screwdriver and combination screwdriver
3.5V battery or adjustable voltage source
High Power SMD COB diodes (2x3W, 3-3.6V)
Soldering iron and solder
Thermal compound
Black heat-resistant silicone (or color-matching silicone)

Step 1: Disassembling the Reef LED Bar

The Alibaba SKY BLUE reef LED bar is not designed to be taken apart, so we need to carefully cut it open.

Remove the four screws located at each end of the LED bar.
Using an angle grinder, make a precise cut along the length of the unit. Be careful not to cut too deep, as this can damage the LED diodes inside.
Use the middle channel of the LED bar as a guide for the cut.
Once the cut is complete, carefully split the bottom and top parts of the unit.

Step 2: Diagnosing the Faulty LED Diode

The LEDs in these bars are connected in series, meaning that if one diode fails, the entire unit will stop working. To check for a faulty diode:

Use a 3.5V battery or a voltage source to test each diode individually.
Apply the positive lead to the anode and the negative lead to the cathode. Be careful—reversing polarity can damage the diode if your power source is strong enough.
Identify the faulty diode. In my case, it was the very first one next to the power supply cable.

Step 3: Replacing the Faulty Diode

Purchase replacement diodes: High Power SMD COB diodes, 2x3W, 3-3.6V.
Remove the faulty diode using a soldering iron.
Solder the new diode in place, ensuring correct polarity. If you haven’t tried any soldering, here is a link for a starter guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qps9woUGkvI

Step 4: Restoring Heat Dissipation

Remove all the small Phillips screws along the LED bar.
Lift the LED strip and clean off the old thermal compound.
Apply a fresh layer of thermal compound to ensure proper heat dissipation.

Lastly: Reassembling the Reef LED Bar

Connect the unit to the power supply and test if all LEDs are functioning properly.
Seal the gap created by the angle grinder cut with black heat-resistant silicone. Alternatively, use a silicone color that matches your unit for a cleaner look.
Secure everything back in place and reinstall the screws.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can extend the life of your reef LED bar instead of replacing it entirely. Regular maintenance and proper heat dissipation will help prevent future failures. Happy reef keeping!