2008 Aerogarden Classic 7: 2023 conversion to LED lighting
Nov 9, 2023 23:43:29 GMT -5
lynnee, scarfguy, and 1 more like this
Post by pfunnyjoy on Nov 9, 2023 23:43:29 GMT -5
I'm exceptionally (15 years worth) late to the LED conversion party, but who knows, maybe someone else will need this information, which is current as of November 9, 2023.
The 2008 Aerogarden Classic 7-pod model uses TWO fluorescent bulbs (model #100340). These bulbs (rated for 6 months of grow time) are still listed on Aerogarden.com, but they are not cheap and may be out-of-stock temporarily or permanently.
aerogarden.com/the-plant-shop/grow-lights/all-lighting/970914-0208.html
Fortunately, LED conversion for the 7-pod, 2 bulb model is easy! No electronics knowledge is necessary.
Supplies
Socket Adapters
G23 to E27/E26 2-Pin Light Sockets Adapter, Light Bulb Socket, Bulb Base Adapter, Converts LED Light Holder Lamp Adapter Socket Changer (Pack of 5)
www.amazon.com/dp/B072WMMKX4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
LED Grow Bulbs
LED Plant Grow Bulbs for Grow Light for Indoor Plants, Sun Light, 44 LEDs of 17W (50W Fluorescent Bulbs Equivalent), 2 Pack
www.amazon.com/dp/B07WD7QG5B?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
The links for these supplies were obtained from Matt Garver's YouTube channel. He was nice enough to respond to a comment of mine asking where he'd gotten his adapters and lights. Thank you, Matt!
Step 1
Unplug your Aerogarden!
At the back of your Aerogarden light hood, you'll see a round vented opening. There is a little tab at the bottom, press that to disengage it, and lift the hood off. You may be able to do this with a finger, or you might need a screwdriver.
Step 2
When you have the hood removed, turn it over and you'll see the old CFL fluorescent bulbs. Gently remove them.
Step 3
Grab your adapters and LED grow bulbs! They look like this:
Screw the bulbs into the adapters and gently insert in your light hood.
GLITCH WARNING . . . defective adapters are a possibility!
As you can see, I had one adapter where the bulb, when screwed in firmly, was NOT in a useful orientation! I marked that adapter as bad, and grabbed another one to try. Second adapter was A-OK.
First adapter
Second adapter
Step 4
Place your light hood back on your Aerogarden, you should hear a click as the plastic tab locks back into place. Fill the reservoir with water to protect the pump OR remove the grow bowl and set aside (which disconnects the pump), plug your Aerogarden back in, and use the light switch to test your new LED setup. If it turns on, you should be good to grow.
If the lights fail to turn on, unplug, check the seating of the adapters to be sure they are firmly in place, and then check the bulbs to be sure they are neither loose or excessively tight in the adapters. Plug back in, turn on the lights.
If there's still no light, try spare adapters from your 5 pack. If nothing works, suspect the bulbs. Good luck!
Step 5 (optional)
Neatly label your excess parts for storage. The adapters are made in, and ship from China. How durable they are is an unknown factor. We already know that quality control may be somewhat suspect, thanks to the glitch shown in Step 3! I stored the extra adapters in the LED box. And labeled it, so I know when I installed the LED bulbs.
Step 6 (optional)
Neatly protect and label your old CFL bulbs. If either your adapters or LED grow bulbs should fail, having your old CFL bulbs could save a grow!
And that's it!
I don't know the lifespan of these LED grow bulbs, but should be better than the CFL fluorescent bulbs. And they are certainly cheaper.
The End
The 2008 Aerogarden Classic 7-pod model uses TWO fluorescent bulbs (model #100340). These bulbs (rated for 6 months of grow time) are still listed on Aerogarden.com, but they are not cheap and may be out-of-stock temporarily or permanently.
aerogarden.com/the-plant-shop/grow-lights/all-lighting/970914-0208.html
Fortunately, LED conversion for the 7-pod, 2 bulb model is easy! No electronics knowledge is necessary.
Supplies
Socket Adapters
G23 to E27/E26 2-Pin Light Sockets Adapter, Light Bulb Socket, Bulb Base Adapter, Converts LED Light Holder Lamp Adapter Socket Changer (Pack of 5)
www.amazon.com/dp/B072WMMKX4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
LED Grow Bulbs
LED Plant Grow Bulbs for Grow Light for Indoor Plants, Sun Light, 44 LEDs of 17W (50W Fluorescent Bulbs Equivalent), 2 Pack
www.amazon.com/dp/B07WD7QG5B?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
The links for these supplies were obtained from Matt Garver's YouTube channel. He was nice enough to respond to a comment of mine asking where he'd gotten his adapters and lights. Thank you, Matt!
Step 1
Unplug your Aerogarden!
At the back of your Aerogarden light hood, you'll see a round vented opening. There is a little tab at the bottom, press that to disengage it, and lift the hood off. You may be able to do this with a finger, or you might need a screwdriver.
Step 2
When you have the hood removed, turn it over and you'll see the old CFL fluorescent bulbs. Gently remove them.
Step 3
Grab your adapters and LED grow bulbs! They look like this:
Screw the bulbs into the adapters and gently insert in your light hood.
GLITCH WARNING . . . defective adapters are a possibility!
As you can see, I had one adapter where the bulb, when screwed in firmly, was NOT in a useful orientation! I marked that adapter as bad, and grabbed another one to try. Second adapter was A-OK.
First adapter
Second adapter
Step 4
Place your light hood back on your Aerogarden, you should hear a click as the plastic tab locks back into place. Fill the reservoir with water to protect the pump OR remove the grow bowl and set aside (which disconnects the pump), plug your Aerogarden back in, and use the light switch to test your new LED setup. If it turns on, you should be good to grow.
If the lights fail to turn on, unplug, check the seating of the adapters to be sure they are firmly in place, and then check the bulbs to be sure they are neither loose or excessively tight in the adapters. Plug back in, turn on the lights.
If there's still no light, try spare adapters from your 5 pack. If nothing works, suspect the bulbs. Good luck!
Step 5 (optional)
Neatly label your excess parts for storage. The adapters are made in, and ship from China. How durable they are is an unknown factor. We already know that quality control may be somewhat suspect, thanks to the glitch shown in Step 3! I stored the extra adapters in the LED box. And labeled it, so I know when I installed the LED bulbs.
Step 6 (optional)
Neatly protect and label your old CFL bulbs. If either your adapters or LED grow bulbs should fail, having your old CFL bulbs could save a grow!
And that's it!
I don't know the lifespan of these LED grow bulbs, but should be better than the CFL fluorescent bulbs. And they are certainly cheaper.
The End
