is it the potentiometer or the driver?

[Merlin1147]

Hey all. I have a custom Samsung strip light that is not coming up to full power. Also there is a bit of random flickering. I have 6 Samsung 4’ F Series strips on a Meanwell HLG-480h-54b driver. It worked fine for a year and now will come in but not to the full. It’s on a 100k potentiometer. It dimmer but full on it’s only putting out about 20k lux at 16”. Do you think it’s the driver or the cheap Amazon Chinese potentiometer?

 

[Renfro]

If you disconnect the potentiometer the driver should run at full power. So that would let you see if it's the driver.

 

[Renfro]

The random flickering, have you checked all the connections? Maybe there is a little corrosion.

 

[Merlin1147]

The random flickering, have you checked all the connections? Maybe there is a little corrosion.

Thanks Renfro. I disconnected it and sure enough full blast. I replaced it with a non Chinese made one and works great. I checked and there was corrosion on the potentiometer where the solder tabs go in. Now I’m thinking I should replace all of them.

 

[boilingoil]

Thanks Renfro. I disconnected it and sure enough full blast. I replaced it with a non Chinese made one and works great. I checked and there was corrosion on the potentiometer where the solder tabs go in. Now I’m thinking I should replace all of them.

Don't fell bad ,I had 2 of the pots that Rapid led sells that went south also.