Bought my first Blackbird in 2022 it always seemed to run a little warm especially for only being on four on dial,but the first problem came was the dial broke,they sent me a new one, then a new ballast,while waiting for new ballast bought a second Blackbird this one came with different dial,ballast and light plates ,the dial went out on that one in a month after purchase, HLG sent a box of dials for both lights see in picture,also picture of different light plates. I also I noticed it did not run as hot as first one even being turned up higher,so the gentleman at HLG told me to take a heat laser and check the light plates on the two, BINGO it ran 20 degree.s warmer than the second one. I had first blackbird on four on dial and second blackbird on 5 during testing … somewhere along the way HLG was helpful then I get this LADY and all of sudden playing stupid at HLG she clueless and she gonna replace my first light but they don’t have any and see was nothing but excuses after excuses,finally she sends me a light and it’s the first version,I was so mad what kind of customer service is this? LEAVE a customer with no lights?So I went on Amazon ordered another this is third version again ,different dial and ballast, so now I have four light in front of me , so I took the light she sent, hung it side by side with first light both on 4 on dial, light plates would be at 145 degrees plus ,finally HLG took my two light back OVER three months ago and told me I would be getting a refund but this lady has nothing but excuses again and I’m still waiting almost CHRISTMAS!!!
You’re not going to find many HLG haters around here. Their reputation history for outstanding service is very solid. I had an issue with a driver a couple of years ago, called them, and had a replacement driver on my doorstep the next day. It’s unfortunate that you’ve had a bad experience.
Welcome to the forum.
I’m confused between having no lights and 4 lights?
The resistance dimmers fail regularly, doesn’t really matter where you get them. I have 3 different boxes in the garage and they test out all over the place. Hlg still replaces them to best of my knowledge.
Light running hot usually means its pulling more current and the heat is moving up through the heatsink. It’s the ones that don’t get hot that concern me. Be persistent and ask to talk to a supervisor or something. This is really unusual for them.
HI, Did not put this out there for your pity, put this out there for people with common sense trying to grow marijuana,sorry could not get photos included but I see you were happy when you had faulty product from HLG and they sent you a new one to your door,well for me from day one I spoke to the guy at HLG who built the lights,had the guy home phone number if I had PROBLEM!!! BIG difference between us, and was told of light dial problem, before there was even a second version ,so when dial went out on second light after one month and they sent me a box of three dials for each light,so what your telling me that this is normal,I have A LOT of switch’s and dial in my house could you imagine if they all sent me three dial’s but you think that.s fine? When HLG sent my replacement light for first versIon with same light,when two version are available,and took over a month that’s a problem we are trying to grow, again not problem for you ?? When I called HLG about replacement light running hot and the lady played stupid , you think that your package came fast, you should have seen how fast HLG wanted them two light back, but I told her she gonna have to wait because I’m gonna put them up side by side and make video of them running so hot while only on four on dial but to you if you had those light burning your stuff it be fine,but to THE PEOPLE AT HLG THEY WANT THEM BACK FOR A REASON !! but once again this would be not a problem with you?And I’m still waiting for refund over 3 months guess that would not be a problem for you also ?PLEASE REPLY I do have over 40 emails and some great video and pictures
From day one of problems had spoke to the guy at HLG who was building these lights had his personal number,walked me though all problems , they sent me a box of dials 3 for each of my fist two blackbirds,then I get this LADY who has been worthless still waiting for refund for 3 months
Welcome to the party!
Sorry for your bad experience! But now that it is said I don’t think anything will change by sharing it further here.
Too much room for anger can blind you to the simple path. Any resolution is better than none
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. You bought 4 of them.
AS I said this is for people with common sense,and if you want to play the anger card to sound important, but the problem is what your telling me it’s very funny no anger, that I should let HLG walk all over me,I should play stupid,and take what I can get for there problems,and what they say goes? sorry but that sounds pretty sad and weak, Sorry I was born with a set of BALLS
You said you had the number for the HLG guy? Is he not helping you out? Id be pissed too. At HLG though.
What?! Dial back on the indica brother. No one thinks its funny. We heard you! Not stop bitchin’ . K?
Ive used HLG for years and have never had an issue. I have a Blackbird, 350r,600r, and 300b. The dimmer has went bad one time on the 350r and when i called i had a new dimmer switch within 24hrs.
Are you purchasing these through Amazon or HLG direct? Were these new units or refurbished? All of my HLGs run warm when i start cranking the dial.
What drivers are installed on the units? Meanwells?
I will say this. If im cranking my dials, i have to have my intakes and exhausts running. Right now im cranked on all 3 in the bus. I have 2 intakes (4in) blowing on top of my lights and the exhaust (8in) pulling the excess heat. Im in a 12x8x8.
Dimmers go bad regularly. Doesnt matter what manufacturer you use.
Ill also add this. It is the holidays and things do get hectic. Are you emailing or calling? I would email just so you have a trail. How old are these lights?
I bought 3 milkhouse heaters from a big box store a few years back. When I got home and unboxed them, one wasn’t working. Then I noticed the heater was a little different than the other two, they all pretty much look similar. Turns out, someone scammed the store by bringing back a different heater that was broken, then the store screwed the consumer (me and everyone else) by putting it back on the shelf.
Sounds like HLG’s warranty red flag went up. Just throwing it out there. 
Don’t mean to hi jack the thread, but what’s the better driver for these blackbirds? Ive had one for about a year, runs flawless…it’s got an invertronics driver, but I also just bought another one, and it came with the meanwell driver, also came with rj11 pre installed. So I’m not sure how I feel about that, my old one has the dial directly connected. This one came with the dial disconnected by the rj11.
Got it for 450 on a black Friday sale and targeted coupon… So decided to get a second… My first blackbird i purchased directly from HLG… It came with the invertronics, and manual dimmer… The new one came from Amazon, some higher rated grow store… I emailed HLG, and they confirmed it was the new packaging, and even sent me another all black dimmer like my og had but with rj connection.
Correction, optronics, not sure why I thought invertronics…
I still need to set the new one up and test it for any defects. Will probably do it tomorrow, been pretty busy the last month. Hope there are no issues, everything seems ok as far as the shipping box and packaging. 
No need to give people here attitude. You come here ask for help then get rude? Go touch some grass bud