EB Gen 2 Strip with extra HLG driver build plan check-up

I have an extra HLG-185H-56A. I'm wondering if using 3 parallel runs made up of 3 EB Gen 2 560mm 700 ma strips each would be reasonable? Planning on 4" aluminum flashing tape and thermal tape backing the strips.

Was looking at doing 10x EB Gen 2 560mm 700 ma strips all in parallel with a HLG-185H-20B, but I have the other 56A driver already.

Opinions on either of these these? Should I be adding an additional 3 strip run to the first build (maybe an additional 2 strips to the second build) to reduce ma per strip in the builds?

Are you sure its 56A? Dont think they have higher than 54A.

Im not sure whats your plan, 10 strips on a hlg185-20b would be closer to 1000ma if i recall correct.

If you use a 54v driver you could almost squeeze in 3 stripps in series as the report says it goes up to 60v. But datasheet has it at 58v so might be able to get much more than 500mA per string. Even less if theres some voltage going to cables.

If you got the strips you could try it, its basicly several 3 strips in series strings in parallel. Buut id probably advice against it if you have to buy any stuff.

Im not sure: seems you either knoow your stuff really well or youre confused on how these drivers work.

54A, my bad.

I had read that ~1050ma was pretty safe with 4" ~2mm aluminum flashing (for the 700ma test rated strips)

I was worried that the voltage would be slightly lower than the forward voltage for strips in series with the parallel build plan and the HLG-185-54A

All I need to buy is the strips to try the setup in parallel w/ 3 in series, I'd need to buy a HLG-185H-20B to do the other. I've got a few people that need or will need lights so I'm not super worried about spending and building to try things out.

"

Im not sure: seems you either knoow your stuff really well or youre confused on how these drivers work.

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Can't it be both? I'm pretty new to this LED equipment but I've been reading a fair amount, am messing with some QB96s and have some of the V1 288s on the way. I'm involved in doing some LED lighting for a restaurant/bar too (roll strips and LT-V282B strips). I've got free time for a bit and a mini drill press that wants use, looking to learn.

Leaning toward trying both plans as the cost for new supplies is only ~$200.

My suggestion is getting hlg185-20AB driver so you can control voltage and also have external dimmer.

The 54A is really border case: the spec says no or barely. The repoort onn actual output says a little more voltage and amps than spec which is normal, but not guaranteed.

For best info google "meanwell modelnr report" and look around for the report section on the meanwell web, its almost always closer to report values than datasheet, but not guaranteed.

The gen2 can do 1050mA with no heatsink but a little airmovement according to forumers here.
Gen3 probably not, at least not slim version..

I found the report: https://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=HLG-185H&pdf=SExHLTE4NUgtNTQtUlBULlBERg==&a=2

I've got a few HLG-185-54A's if there's another design plan that works well for them? I've been using them to run QB96s some are running 2 at once, at 200 wall watts (if i max them out they run at 250-260 wall watts).

HLG-185H-54
Output Voltage:
7.84 V~59.43 V /230VAC
47.83 V~59.43 V/115VAC

OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION:
61.54 V/ 305VAC
61.69 V/ 230VAC
61.50 V/ 100VAC

Seems close, but is it too close?

XtraGood said:

Seems close, but is it too close?

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One way to find out for sure!!!
I personally, have yet to be in the position where a series/parallel wiring situation was warranted. Anytime I got that close on paper, I would work it out in another fashion. But I generally wasn't trying to repurpose drivers I already had either! I would take a run at it in your situation, it's my belief that the on paper numbers tend to be rounded down.
I can absolutely confirm, my Gen1 BXEB 560mm 3500K strips can handle 1050ma bare naked though...put some aluminum u chanel on them and you can crank it up even more...

Some good stuff in here too
https://www.rollitup.org/t/bridgelux-eb-gen-2-thermals.957453/post-14027094

Chances are I'll build it, those strips are well priced.
The spec sheet for the gen 2s shows their forward voltage taking a healthy couple extra volts to 21.6v when driven at 1400ma as opposed to 700. That's part of what had me thinking more strips less amps each. That FLIR image makes it look like temps not going to be much of a problem. Anybody done a youtube torture test on one?
I have a couple HBG-200-60A's on hand that I can use if I need slightly more voltage, that still leaves the HLG-185H-54As looking for modules though.

I've been reading that thread and plan to go back to it, nice stuff there. (e.g. thread says to expect 20.5 Forward volts at 1400ma, 1.1 v less than spec)

Chip Green said:

One way to find out for sure!!!
I personally, have yet to be in the position where a series/parallel wiring situation was warranted. Anytime I got that close on paper, I would work it out in another fashion. But I generally wasn't trying to repurpose drivers I already had either! I would take a run at it in your situation, it's my belief that the on paper numbers tend to be rounded down.
I can absolutely confirm, my Gen1 BXEB 560mm 3500K strips can handle 1050ma bare naked though...put some aluminum u chanel on them and you can crank it up even more...

Some good stuff in here too
https://www.rollitup.org/t/bridgelux-eb-gen-2-thermals.957453/post-14027094

Click to expand...

XtraGood said:

54A, my bad.

I had read that ~1050ma was pretty safe with 4" ~2mm aluminum flashing (for the 700ma test rated strips)

I was worried that the voltage would be slightly lower than the forward voltage for strips in series with the parallel build plan and the HLG-185-54A

All I need to buy is the strips to try the setup in parallel w/ 3 in series, I'd need to buy a HLG-185H-20B to do the other. I've got a few people that need or will need lights so I'm not super worried about spending and building to try things out.

"

Can't it be both? I'm pretty new to this LED equipment but I've been reading a fair amount, am messing with some QB96s and have some of the V1 288s on the way. I'm involved in doing some LED lighting for a restaurant/bar too (roll strips and LT-V282B strips). I've got free time for a bit and a mini drill press that wants use, looking to learn.

Leaning toward trying both plans as the cost for new supplies is only ~$200.

Click to expand...

Combine qb96 and some strips might be an option? Qb96 on corners, the rest strips. You seem to like outside of the box

On lower voltage as per thread: it might be that higher temps drops voltage that far, but thats generally not a good thing as it also drops output.

Best of luck ill be following i love to see people get creative

Any reason I shouldn't build a HLG-320H-42A with 14x Bridgelux EB Gen 2 560mm, 2 in series x 7?
It would be a good rate of Wall-Watts/$. I'd add red separate.

I've also got (5) HLG-320H-54A that got delayed twice and should be here soon, they'll probably get 4x QB288's each. Unless there's a better idea out there for them? Built one fixture and tested it a bit with a different driver:

I got the HLG-185H-54A and 3 runs in parallel of 3 Bridgelux EB Gen 2 560mm in series each, setup. The fixture's not reinforced but the lights light up. I haven't put meters to it yet but with the driver's report saying a max of 3.868 Amps at full voltage (report: 59.43v) seems like I can push these strips too hard at max output when excluding flashing. I could add another series of 3 strips in the next one and that would knock it down to a safe level I believe. This one might get flashing, not sure. I'm a bit tired and my coffee is long gone but I think they are getting about 1290ma per strip at ~20v fv each because of the driver's ~60v when running it maxed? Correct me if I'm wrong?

Seems very bright, 4 of these or something similar in a 4x4/4.5x4.5 open space with some red strips seems like it would work, but I've got little experience.

Voltage turned down they barely flicker. Pics are at lowered voltages (and from an aged phone camera).

I got some framing put on the HLG-185H-54A w/ BLuxs. It still needs a flat piece of aluminum run down the center of the boards to stop them flexing, and probably a diagonal piece to keep it from twisting at all (twist is pretty limited by the cross pieces currently). And some wire management...



I'm also testing out the HLG-320-42A with Gen 2 3000k BLuxs today as well, not fully framed but it'll get the same treatment as above. I ended up using 16 2ft strips (series runs of 2 ea.) instead of 14 to help ensure that I don't need to get into aluminum flashing. 56 degrees C is the highest reading I can get out of the IR laser after well over an hour of stabilizing driver running full out drawing 377 killa-a-watt meter watts. My quick math says that's running strips slightly less than 1000ma per strip at ~20fv each.

I wanted to try this size build partly because people I know like those ~3.75x3.75ft Gavita led lights (pro 1700e) and I wanted to try to build something comparable for less. I figure two of these would at least have the wattage and efficiency of a 1700e. For my own purposes, I'm thinking I'll run one of the HLG-320-42's between two sets of HLG185H54s with two qb96s each, not maxed.



I looked up spectrum charts for the Gavita 1700e, QB96s, and Gen2 BLuxs. I don't really know enough to have a detailed opinion on what I'm seeing there, seems like a reasonably reasonable mix of lights to me though? (QB96 and Blux Gen2).

1700e

QB96 (from MIGRO video, couldn't find spec sheet)

BLux Gen2


I'm trying to get a testing area setup to get easier and better light meter readings, all I have is a doctor lux meter though...which doesn't seem to be on amazon anymore based on some lazy searching...?

Happy to hear any criticism of anything I'm building before I get to the next ones.

I use that identical Dr. Meter. From my experience, with three years of growing under BXEB of all types, at or around 50K Dr. Meter LUX is the sweet spot. Higher levels didn't produce enough gain, to offset the loss of footprint. For my sizing anyway.
It's really a balancing act of strip spacing, drive current, and hanging height. Which makes for incredible flexibility in design.

Awesome work by the way.

Chip Green said:

I use that identical Dr. Meter. From my experience, with three years of growing under BXEB of all types, at or around 50K Dr. Meter LUX is the sweet spot. Higher levels didn't produce enough gain, to offset the loss of footprint. For my sizing anyway.

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Thanks for the tip, I followed that advice for the most part and aiming for 50k lux with the dr. meter does seem to be working best. Seems to work for qb96s too. Still trying to get harvest and curing planned and accomplished.