Matching Drivers and COBs

[Jarri Cash]

Hey @SupraSPL or anyone else for that matter,I know your all busy people but I have a question about what I have planned. I'm totally new to RIU and DIY LED lighting. I'm no dummy but I'm not at intermediate level in terms of electronics/electrical "stuff" either. I want to set up a light for a 2 * 3 area that may expand in the future. I like the looks and specs of the Optic Grow lights that you reviewed a few months ago and want to set up something like that. If I want to use 4 of the Vero 29 4000k COBs, what, in your honest opinion is the best way to go about it...would it be best to go with a single driver such as the ones you listed above or do I have to/better off using single driver per COB? Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[littlejacob]

Bonjour
@ttystikk this one will be useful!
Thanks!

 

[littlejacob]

Hey @SupraSPL or anyone else for that matter,I know your all busy people but I have a question about what I have planned. I'm totally new to RIU and DIY LED lighting. I'm no dummy but I'm not at intermediate level in terms of electronics/electrical "stuff" either. I want to set up a light for a 2 * 3 area that may expand in the future. I like the looks and specs of the Optic Grow lights that you reviewed a few months ago and want to set up something like that. If I want to use 4 of the Vero 29 4000k COBs, what, in your honest opinion is the best way to go about it...would it be best to go with a single driver such as the ones you listed above or do I have to/better off using single driver per COB? Thanks in advance for the info.

Bonjour
If you have 350 $ to spend, than go for cxb 3590 @1400mA...there is only 60 $ difference!
Have a great day ★

 

[ttystikk]

Bonjour
@ttystikk this one will be useful!
Thanks!

Merci beaucoup!

@Jarri Cash I'm building a 4 COB fixture featuring CXB3590 3500k chips, driven at 50W to achieve 56% efficiency. This fixture will provide an excellent 824 PPfd over your 2'x3' area. As you expand your space in the future, simply add more of the same fixture to cover similar areas and multiply as needed. Beware... My multiple was 24, LOL

Edit: By 'I'm building', I mean to say that I'm having these light fixtures built according to my design specifications. I'll let the builder take a well deserved bow when the project is finished!

 

[littlejacob]

Bonjour
This could cover a 3.5X3.5...! So should be perfect for you!
CU

 

[Jarri Cash]

Thanks fellas.
@ttystikk, you like the Cree's over Bridgelux, huh? I can't even pretend to know who is the better but I started researching both and liking Cree more. Then I did some more research and started liking the the Vero Series of COBs. I am in info stall mode at this point.
My biggest hang up in on the driver selection.
I want middle efficiency, meaning I'm not as much a nut for efficiency as some but, i totally agree that efficiency is important. What kind of drivers have you spec'd out for your custom built light Stikks?

 

[SaltyNuts]

Can the HLG-600-36HB power more than eight cxb3590 at minimum 700ma? I am hoping to run 16 of them from 25W-38W

 

[ttystikk]

Thanks fellas.
@ttystikk, you like the Cree's over Bridgelux, huh? I can't even pretend to know who is the better but I started researching both and liking Cree more. Then I did some more research and started liking the the Vero Series of COBs. I am in info stall mode at this point.
My biggest hang up in on the driver selection.
I want middle efficiency, meaning I'm not as much a nut for efficiency as some but, i totally agree that efficiency is important. What kind of drivers have you spec'd out for your custom built light Stikks?

To the first, why Cree vs Vero; it seemed to me that the CXB3590 chips responded more favorably to being underdriven, and that frankly it seemed an already well trodden path.

I laid out the specifications and my builder has taken them and gone to work. I can tell you that we're running the 56% efficiency option with four CXB3590 driven at 50W per 200W driver. I can't give you part numbers, as I'm not sure what he's ordered. That said, this is a very popular and common configuration and people will be familiar with it.

 

[littlejacob]

Bonjour
Every white cob gonna grow weed...there's a new seller called growupled who sell cxa 1816 p4 35w fixtures...it is overdriven cree chip but it grow well...better than I thought...a french grower made a log
It's the contrary of what we did...small overdriven chips and expensive about 100 $ for 1...
Have a great day ★

 

[Stephenj37826]

Can the HLG-600-36HB power more than eight cxb3590 at minimum 700ma? I am hoping to run 16 of them from 25W-38W

I believe you take the number of cobs and divide the rated current amongst them. Yes it would work. So you'll be pretty safe if a cob fails also.

 

[bassman999]

To the first, why Cree vs Vero; it seemed to me that the CXB3590 chips responded more favorably to being underdriven, and that frankly it seemed an already well trodden path.

I laid out the specifications and my builder has taken them and gone to work. I can tell you that we're running the 56% efficiency option with four CXB3590 driven at 50W per 200W driver. I can't give you part numbers, as I'm not sure what he's ordered. That said, this is a very popular and common configuration and people will be familiar with it.

Probably something along these lines:

@ 56.3%
(4) CXB3590 3500K CD 36V @ 1.4A (49W ea) $190
(1) HLG-185H-C1400 $65
196 dissipation W -> 85.7W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 10284cm² -> 5.88" X 38" heatsink $72 (could split in 2 to improve uniformity/spread)
or
active cooled heatsink 3428cm² min -> 3.5"X36" heatsink (for spread) $45 +80mm fan +psu $10
(4) lenses $16
110.3 PAR W covering 6ft² = 824 PPFD
$311 = $3.07/PAR W passive cooled (great value point IMO, very efficient use of driver)
$326 = 2.96/PAR W active cooled

 

[SaltyNuts]

I believe you take the number of cobs and divide the rated current amongst them. Yes it would work. So you'll be pretty safe if a cob fails also.

I thought I understood that's how it works. But I was thrown into doubt by some comments that it's actually more complex when wiring chips in series.

 

[bassman999]

I thought I understood that's how it works. But I was thrown into doubt by some comments that it's actually more complex when wiring chips in series.

In series wiring you divide voltage across, in parallel wiring you divide the current

 

[SaltyNuts]

In series wiring you divide voltage across, in parallel wiring you divide the current

Thank you, that's exactly where I'm confused, about a voltage limit applied to series wiring. The driver data sheets don't list max output voltage, I must looking in the wrong place?

 

[bassman999]

Thank you, that's exactly where I'm confused, about a voltage limit applied to series wiring. The driver data sheets don't list max output voltage, I must looking in the wrong place?

Mouser Part #:
709-HLG185H-C1400B
Manufacturer Part #:
HLG-185H-C1400B
Manufacturer:
Mean Well
Description:
LED Power Supplies 200.2W 1400mA71-143V CC IP67 Dimming

Learn more about Mean Well HLG-185H-C1400B

Page 2,230, Mouser Online Catalog
Page 2,230, PDF Catalog Page
HLG-185H-C1400B Datasheet

Legend:
output wattage
Output current
Output voltage

In this example it is a constant current type meaning current remains same between 71 and 143 volts

Now if you have 36 volt cobs you can run between 2 and 4 on this driver.
You will wire cobs in series and simply add up the voltages.
It would equal 144V for 4 of them in series, and I have read that this should work for most as they sit a little under the 36V rating.

 

[SaltyNuts]

@bassman999 thanks that clarifies things. I was confused because the datasheet for the HLG600H36B rates max constant current at 36V/16A. I have to assume that means it runs chips wired in parallel only. It would be nice if the datasheet would mention that but I guess it's supposed to be idiot-resistant. But I am idiot-persistent, lol.

Probably best to go with the hlg185

 

[Stephenj37826]

@bassman999 thanks that clarifies things. I was confused because the datasheet for the HLG600H36B rates max constant current at 36V/16A. I have to assume that means it runs chips wired in parallel only. It would be nice if the datasheet would mention that but I guess it's supposed to be idiot-resistant. But I am idiot-persistent, lol.

185hc spec is high voltage constant current 185h-36 is constant current as well but voltage up to 40. So if you are using c spec then you will wire in series. Non c spec in parallel.

 

[bassman999]

@bassman999 thanks that clarifies things. I was confused because the datasheet for the HLG600H36B rates max constant current at 36V/16A. I have to assume that means it runs chips wired in parallel only. It would be nice if the datasheet would mention that but I guess it's supposed to be idiot-resistant. But I am idiot-persistent, lol.
Me too lol
Probably best to go with the hlg185

185hc spec is high voltage constant current 185h-36 is constant current as well but voltage up to 40. So if you are using c spec then you will wire in series. Non c spec in parallel.

Good point

They should give examples of use on them to make it easier to understand for us that are new to using drivers

 

[ttystikk]

Probably something along these lines:

@ 56.3%
(4) CXB3590 3500K CD 36V @ 1.4A (49W ea) $190
(1) HLG-185H-C1400 $65
196 dissipation W -> 85.7W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 10284cm² -> 5.88" X 38" heatsink $72 (could split in 2 to improve uniformity/spread)
or
active cooled heatsink 3428cm² min -> 3.5"X36" heatsink (for spread) $45 +80mm fan +psu $10
(4) lenses $16
110.3 PAR W covering 6ft² = 824 PPFD
$311 = $3.07/PAR W passive cooled (great value point IMO, very efficient use of driver)
$326 = 2.96/PAR W active cooled

That's exactly it. This is fast becoming the standard smallblock Chevy build sheet around which lots and lots of people are building their panels.

There's a five CXB3590 option as well, isn't there? Wasn't it also very high efficiency, IIRC?

 

[SaltyNuts]

Good point

They should give examples of use on them to make it easier to understand for us that are new to using drivers

Their lawyers probably nixed that lol. Don't want plebes electrocuting themselves and blaming the datasheet for bad instruction....

here's how I feel sometimes trying to sort it out