PSA: Sunblaster/Arcadia ProT5 and like Fixture Reflector Issue + how to fix!

[cyberlocc]

Okay folks, we had a PSA posted by GK (thanks Goodkarma) about a Sunblaster issue, that was seeming to pop up. Where the reflector was not working, it was brought up in the Reptile Lighting Group.

We have since then figured out what is causing the issue and how to fix it. We have also found that not only Sunblaster is effected. All fixtures made by (Shenzhen Sunlight Lighting co) seem to have the possibility of issue.

A short list of Current on the Market Fixtures, that use this brand/company to produce.

• Arcadia Pro T5
• Biodude T5HO
• Carolina Custom Cages T5HO
• Hydrofarm "Jumpstart"
• Sunblaster T5HO Nanotech
• Vivarium Electronics T5

The issue as it is presenting, the "Reflector Material" that these fixtures posses, is not Metal. Instead it is a "Nanotech Reflector" what this means, out side of Marketing hype. The Reflection material, is a strip of an Acetate Plastic. Added to one side of the plastic, is a film or painted layer, of a Mirror like material. Similar to "Mirror Window Tint". This material, is very easy to scratch off, by accident, which would destroy the reflectors properties. For this reason, the company (SSLC) has added a Scratch resistant coating, of some kind, a lacquer or some such.

The Reflector works great, when it is in the correct orientation, What is seemingly happening, some how in the factory these reflectors are getting slid in backwards. Which is exposing the wrong side, of the reflector to the light, the plastic side. The Plastic Side, absorbs the UVB light, instead of reflecting it, which means you are not getting proper reflection. So far, we have observed this mistake with an Arcadia Pro T5, a Sunblaster, and a Jumpstart, however the others still have the possibility as well.

There is a Testing Methodology, the correct side showing, has a lacquer like coating apparent. Its more a of a "Matte" finish, is mottled, an orange peel like paint effect. The reflection is also not perfect like a mirror due to this "Orange Peel" more akin to dented metal. If your reflector appears to be very shiny, and not mottled (Pics below) then you need to take apart the reflector and flip the material.



I made a quick reference image, so you guys can share this wherever you can! Facebook Groups, other Reptile forums, whatever wherever. This is important for our fellow Herpers chameleons and other animals Alike to know!




The only complete way to avoid this issue, is to not buy these fixtures.

Reptisun fixtures while costing quite a bit more, have an Aluminum PVD reflector so this issue cannot happen with them.

The above fixtures still work great and are well priced. Just know about the issue.

 

[cloverthechameleon]

Very interesting. I have a bunch of sunblasters that are about 18 months old that i will now need to double check.

 

[Viola1707]

Okay folks, we had a PSA posted by GK (thanks Goodkarma) about a Sunblaster issue, that was seeming to pop up. Where the reflector was not working, it was brought up in the Reptile Lighting Group.

We have since then figured out what is causing the issue and how to fix it. We have also found that not only Sunblaster is effected. All fixtures made by (Shenzhen Sunlight Lighting co) seem to have the possibility of issue.

A short list of Current on the Market Fixtures, that use this brand/company to produce.

• Arcadia Pro T5
• Biodude T5HO
• Carolina Custom Cages T5HO
• Hydrofarm "Jumpstart"
• Sunblaster T5HO Nanotech
• Vivarium Electronics T5

The issue as it is presenting, the "Reflector Material" that these fixtures posses, is not Metal. Instead it is a "Nanotech Reflector" what this means, out side of Marketing hype. The Reflection material, is a strip of an Acetate Plastic. Added to one side of the plastic, is a film or painted layer, of a Mirror like material. Similar to "Mirror Window Tint". This material, is very easy to scratch off, by accident, which would destroy the reflectors properties. For this reason, the company (SSLC) has added a Scratch resistant coating, of some kind, a lacquer or some such.

The Reflector works great, when it is in the correct orientation, What is seemingly happening, some how in the factory these reflectors are getting slid in backwards. Which is exposing the wrong side, of the reflector to the light, the plastic side. The Plastic Side, absorbs the UVB light, instead of reflecting it, which means you are not getting proper reflection. So far, we have observed this mistake with an Arcadia Pro T5, a Sunblaster, and a Jumpstart, however the others still have the possibility as well.

There is a Testing Methodology, the correct side showing, has a lacquer like coating apparent. Its more a of a "Matte" finish, is mottled, an orange peel like paint effect. The reflection is also not perfect like a mirror due to this "Orange Peel" more akin to dented metal. If your reflector appears to be very shiny, and not mottled (Pics below) then you need to take apart the reflector and flip the material.



I made a quick reference image, so you guys can share this wherever you can! Facebook Groups, other Reptile forums, whatever wherever. This is important for our fellow Herpers chameleons and other animals Alike to know!

View attachment 259855


The only complete way to avoid this issue, is to not buy these fixtures.

Reptisun fixtures while costing quite a bit more, have an Aluminum PVD reflector so this issue cannot happen with them.

The above fixtures still work great and are well priced. Just know about the issue.

Thank you for this! We just had a melted reflector from heat that blew our bulb- it took a while to figure out what happened- I do believe this was a factor…we checked both sides- and definitely ours was incorrect… had to purchase a new reflector today and put a new bulb in. Thanks for sharing this- it’s the only thing that made sense once we realized what was going on… ours is in a Savanah Monitor enclosure

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Okay folks, we had a PSA posted by GK (thanks Goodkarma) about a Sunblaster issue, that was seeming to pop up. Where the reflector was not working, it was brought up in the Reptile Lighting Group.

We have since then figured out what is causing the issue and how to fix it. We have also found that not only Sunblaster is effected. All fixtures made by (Shenzhen Sunlight Lighting co) seem to have the possibility of issue.

A short list of Current on the Market Fixtures, that use this brand/company to produce.

• Arcadia Pro T5
• Biodude T5HO
• Carolina Custom Cages T5HO
• Hydrofarm "Jumpstart"
• Sunblaster T5HO Nanotech
• Vivarium Electronics T5

The issue as it is presenting, the "Reflector Material" that these fixtures posses, is not Metal. Instead it is a "Nanotech Reflector" what this means, out side of Marketing hype. The Reflection material, is a strip of an Acetate Plastic. Added to one side of the plastic, is a film or painted layer, of a Mirror like material. Similar to "Mirror Window Tint". This material, is very easy to scratch off, by accident, which would destroy the reflectors properties. For this reason, the company (SSLC) has added a Scratch resistant coating, of some kind, a lacquer or some such.

The Reflector works great, when it is in the correct orientation, What is seemingly happening, some how in the factory these reflectors are getting slid in backwards. Which is exposing the wrong side, of the reflector to the light, the plastic side. The Plastic Side, absorbs the UVB light, instead of reflecting it, which means you are not getting proper reflection. So far, we have observed this mistake with an Arcadia Pro T5, a Sunblaster, and a Jumpstart, however the others still have the possibility as well.

There is a Testing Methodology, the correct side showing, has a lacquer like coating apparent. Its more a of a "Matte" finish, is mottled, an orange peel like paint effect. The reflection is also not perfect like a mirror due to this "Orange Peel" more akin to dented metal. If your reflector appears to be very shiny, and not mottled (Pics below) then you need to take apart the reflector and flip the material.



I made a quick reference image, so you guys can share this wherever you can! Facebook Groups, other Reptile forums, whatever wherever. This is important for our fellow Herpers chameleons and other animals Alike to know!

View attachment 259855


The only complete way to avoid this issue, is to not buy these fixtures.

That seems extreme considering "How to Tell" and "How to Fix" are right in the PDF quoted.

I got one of the incorrectly installed reflectors. While not quite as easy as described above, IMO, it's not as big a deal as "do not by these fixtures".

The issue is allegedly addressed, and I have not encountered it since, though there's always the possibility it could happen again. Another good reason to invest in a UVI meter, whether commercial or DIY.

Thank you for this! We just had a melted reflector from heat that blew our bulb- it took a while to figure out what happened- I do believe this was a factor…we checked both sides- and definitely ours was incorrect… had to purchase a new reflector today and put a new bulb in. Thanks for sharing this- it’s the only thing that made sense once we realized what was going on… ours is in a Savanah Monitor enclosure

How old is the reflector? This issue had already been resolved by the time this thread was posted (hence the PDF). Some affected reflectors (like mine) were still in the pipeline for a time, but AFAIK, none have appeared since late-2019/early-2020.

If it's happening again, it would be worth bringing up.

 

[Viola1707]

That seems extreme considering "How to Tell" and "How to Fix" are right in the PDF quoted.

I got one of the incorrectly installed reflectors. While not quite as easy as described above, IMO, it's not as big a deal as "do not by these fixtures".

The issue is allegedly addressed, and I have not encountered it since, though there's always the possibility it could happen again. Another good reason to invest in a UVI meter, whether commercial or DIY.


How old is the reflector? This issue had already been resolved by the time this thread was posted (hence the PDF). Some affected reflectors (like mine) were still in the pipeline for a time, but AFAIK, none have appeared since late-2019/early-2020.

If it's happening again, it would be worth bringing up.

We had our enclosure built for us in January 2021- the person who built it for us had fixtures on hand from having bought them in large quantities prior- so it’s very feasible that these were purchased prior to the fix.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

We had our enclosure built for us in January 2021- the person who built it for us had fixtures on hand from having bought them in large quantities prior- so it’s very feasible that these were purchased prior to the fix.

If you find you have any more, check them against the article.

Here's the link to the full article excerpted in the OP:
https://www.docdroid.net/rzaxveu/an-issue-with-sunblaster-t5-ho-reflectors-pdf

You can also find more—and discussion—on https://www.beardeddragon.org/
(Cuz Dr. Baines keeps beardies)
https://www.beardeddragon.org/threads/update-sunblaster-t5-reflectors-read.253456/
https://www.beardeddragon.org/threads/final-sunbaster-reflector-update-other-reflectors-too.253769/

 

[Vali]

My lamp came with a scratched reflector, i tried to switch the sides, but i can't tell the correct side, both of them looks the same for me But even if i would flip it, the other side is scratched from sliding the reflector in the lamp also...

 

[Beman]

My lamp came with a scratched reflector, i tried to switch the sides, but i can't tell the correct side, both of them looks the same for me But even if i would flip it, the other side is scratched from sliding the reflector in the lamp also...

Return it and get a new one.

 

[Vali]

Return it and get a new one.

Yes, i will do it.