How to Troubleshoot and Fix Sewer Camera Lens LED Light Problems?
Sewer inspection cameras are critical tools for plumbers, municipalities, and maintenance crews who deal with underground infrastructure. These plumbing cameras allow technicians to visually inspect pipelines for blockages, cracks, corrosion, or collapse without resorting to expensive and invasive digging. One essential component of the sewer camera is the LED light system, which is built into or around the camera head lens.
Since sewer pipelines are completely dark, the LED lights provide the only source of illumination inside the pipeline. When the LED lights stop working, the plumbing camera becomes virtually blind, even if the drain camera itself is still functioning.
In this post, we’ll explore the primary reasons why sewer camera head lens LEDs fail and walk you through practical troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.
Why Camera Head LED Lights Are Crucial in Sewer Cameras?
Before we dive into the problems and solutions, it’s important to understand why the camera head lens-mounted LED lights are so vital:
- Visibility: The sewer camera cannot capture usable video in pitch-dark pipelines without its own built-in LED lighting.
- Navigation: Operators rely on visual feedback to maneuver the camera head through tight bends and joints.
- Diagnosis: Detailed images of pipeline conditions are only possible with consistent, even lighting.
Let’s examine why that might happen.
Common Causes of LED Light Failure in Sewer Camera Head Lenses
1. Plumbing Camera Head Malfunction or Physical Damage⚒️
Cause:
The camera head, which houses the LED lights, is susceptible to physical damage during insertion into rough or narrow sewer pipelines.
If the camera head gets crushed, cracked, or submerged for extended periods without adequate waterproofing, it may result in LED circuit board failure, wire disconnection, or short circuits.
Diagnosis:
Inspect the camera head for visible signs of damage such as cracks, dents, or water ingress. If the lens is fogged or there are rust marks near the LED array, internal moisture could be the cause.
✅Solution:
For camera head severe damage, especially when the waterproof seal is broken, more reliable to replace the entire camera head module.
2. Faulty Meter Counter on Sewer Camera🏗️
Cause:
The sewer camera meter counter, which tracks the length of the cable deployed, can sometimes house control electronics that affect LED operation. In more advanced sewer camera systems, the meter counter integrates with the control system, including power distribution to camera head components. Damage here can interrupt the power flow or data transmission to the LEDs.
To better understand related issues, check out this guide: Why Isn’t My Sewer Camera Meter Counter Working?
Diagnosis:
Look for erratic or incorrect readings on the meter display. A malfunctioning meter counter might not only disrupt LED power but can also affect camera head feed quality. Examine the wiring between the meter counter and the control unit for any disconnections or burns.
✅Solution:
Replace a new meter counter
3. Sewer Camera Coil Issues⭕
Cause:
The sewer camera coil (also known as the push rod or cable) plays a dual role: physically guiding the camera head through the pipeline and acting as a conduit for power and signal transmission.
Any internal break or wear in the wires inside the coil can disrupt the electricity supply to the LEDs. Repeated bending, pulling, or exposure to moisture can degrade these internal cables.
Diagnosis:
Check for visible external wear or kinks in the coil, especially at common bend points. If there is no obvious damage or kink, use a multimeter to test whether the voltage inside the coil is normal. If there's no continuity, this indicates that there is a problem with the internal circuit
✅Solution:
If the coil is kinked, you can resolder the coil circuit board or replace the entire coil; if the voltage inside the coil is abnormal, please replace it with a pure coil.
4. Non-Responsive LED Light Button or F6 Key on Sewer Camera🧱
Cause:
One of the simplest yet most overlooked causes of LED light Button failure, or the keyboard F6 key is not working. They are a malfunction or poor contact within the LED light switch or control button.
Over time, physical buttons can wear out due to repeated use, exposure to moisture, or internal corrosion. If the LED light button or the keyboard F6 key is defective, pressing it may not deliver the necessary signal to power on the LEDs.
Diagnosis:
To confirm this, check if the control unit responds when the LED button and keyboard F6 key are pressed. If the button feels loose, stuck, or unresponsive, this may indicate an internal failure.
✅Solution:
If the issue is confirmed, the LED light button or keyboard may need to be replaced. In some cases, the contacts can be cleaned or repaired.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The LED lights don't work on your sewer camera doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Just replace the accessories, and it can be restored to normal use.
It is important to adopt a systematic approach to diagnosis, starting from the camera head, meter counter, or sewer coil, and the LED Light button or F6 key on the sewer inspection camera. If not, please contact us immediately to get more help on Sanyipace repair, saving time and money.
