MeanWell LED Drivers: 3 in 1 Dimming Function.

Great heaps of information, a lot of just the information I needed. Never thought I'd understand pots when I started, but now I'm confident it's only a matter of time

Just for certainty:
A) one driver @100k ohm the dim circuit will see no current and thereby running the driver at 100%. The less resistance the more it will dim. Put in 10k resistor to ensure full power and maybe good for not going to 0%. E.g.200k ohm would not be dangerous, but dimming will not start before <100k on glider. 50k pot + resistor would not be dangerous but would restrict driver to between 10 and 60% of max power.

b) Multiple drivers need 100k pot/#drivers+ 10k resistor/ #drivers. Do you then just connect all the+ and - in wagos and run one wire to each of the two pins/resistor? Would not the different signals get messed up? Or do they share them?

c) Can I run ac into wagos and run drivers in parallel? So I just have to deal with one cable for multiple drivers. Do these drivers surge at power up like HIDs/ can I use cheap timers?

Peace

If youre trying to use 1 connector for all 4 wires, just be very carful that the red/black ac lines don't get crossed with the white/blue dim leads! Or say goodbye to your driver, and maybe LEDs. I would use 2 connectors myself. You can use cheap timers, depending on how many drivers/watts you're pulling. Make sure the timer can handle that load. You can parallel the dim leads, each white will need its own 10k resistor, unless you spend the coin on bigger watt resistors, if you're going that route. If you want to dim each driver independently, then you'll want to keep the leads separate. And it sounds like you have a good handle on how the circuit works. More resistance = brighter, less resistance = dimmer.

ok. I found a simple solution for 5v to 10v pwm. Use a npn 2222 npn bipolar transistor, a 1k resistor on the base, a 2.2k resistor on the collector with a 12v mw power supply at the end, and tap the the 0-10v between the resistor and ther collector, ground the emiter of the transistor, and you will have 0-10v dimming One for each channel. peace

VegasWinner said:

ok. I found a simple solution for 5v to 10v pwm. Use a npn 2222 npn bipolar transistor, a 1k resistor on the base, a 2.2k resistor on the collector with a 12v mw power supply at the end, and tap the the 0-10v between the resistor and ther collector, ground the emiter of the transistor, and you will have 0-10v dimming One for each channel. peaceView attachment 3789677

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What is the appeal to adding a power supply? Are you using it in your system already? Just curious how you're building your set up.

Timothypaul26 said:

What is the appeal to adding a power supply? Are you using it in your system already? Just curious how you're building your set up.

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a 10v wall wort provides 10v clean to all channels, and the pwm signal is generated by the arduino. Or you can use a 9v battery, but less reliable and lower voltage than 10v. 10v on one leg, 5, pwm on the other leg, creates a 0 - 10v pwm signal using the npn transistor with the emitter grounded you get a high switching circuit. The 10v will be the high voltage and zero for the low volts, just l;ike the 5v pwm signal. Built correctly you can get both 5v and 10v pwm from the same cable. Tap the 5v before the resistor and tap the 10v between the transistor and the wall wort. Ground is relative to the wall wart and the arduino. The voltage goes from 10v to 0 volts. it is an easy circuit, just two components easy to get an npn 2n2222 bipolar transistor and 1k resistor enjoy. peace

Timothypaul26 said:

What is the appeal to adding a power supply? Are you using it in your system already? Just curious how you're building your set up.

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You need a 10v source of power, or else you only have 5v from the arduino.

Timothypaul26 said:

If youre trying to use 1 connector for all 4 wires, just be very carful that the red/black ac lines don't get crossed with the white/blue dim leads! Or say goodbye to your driver, and maybe LEDs. I would use 2 connectors myself. You can use cheap timers, depending on how many drivers/watts you're pulling. Make sure the timer can handle that load. You can parallel the dim leads, each white will need its own 10k resistor, unless you spend the coin on bigger watt resistors, if you're going that route. If you want to dim each driver independently, then you'll want to keep the leads separate. And it sounds like you have a good handle on how the circuit works. More resistance = brighter, less resistance = dimmer.

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Just to make sure on the ac side: I can connect one in wire from 3 drivers on one wago, + one power wire, do the same on the other, and the grounds? For a total of 3 wagos, and same wires to same wago.

Most timers (here at least) are rated 3600w, so 600w should be a breeze. Unless it's inductive load like HIDs.

I know it matter on the DC side, but on the ac side, does it matter which of the two power wires you use on which of the two ac in wires? It's never been a problem with hps, and it's supposed to be alternating current, but maybe there's something about these drivers I don't know about? I'll do it identical on all, but that's just the way my autism works lol. Peace and love

You don't need another 10V power source.

Your meanwell drivers already have 10v in the circuit. That is how it is able to provide the 3in1 dimming. You can do exactly what you want to do with 1 transistor, and will be more efficient than adding a power supply. The 5v PWM pin just drives the base, the transistor acts as a switch that is turning on and off at a high frequency thus draining dim+ into dim-. If you have another need for the power supply, then it makes sense to add it to your build.

I myself need a 5v power supply for a bank of relays, and the arduino can't run more than, 4?

AtterStiga said:

Just to make sure on the ac side: I can connect one in wire from 3 drivers on one wago, + one power wire, do the same on the other, and the grounds? For a total of 3 wagos, and same wires to same wago.

Most timers (here at least) are rated 3600w, so 600w should be a breeze. Unless it's inductive load like HIDs.

I know it matter on the DC side, but on the ac side, does it matter which of the two power wires you use on which of the two ac in wires? It's never been a problem with hps, and it's supposed to be alternating current, but maybe there's something about these drivers I don't know about? I'll do it identical on all, but that's just the way my autism works lol. Peace and love

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The ac in lines do matter. Brown is hot, blue neutral, and green is ground (assuming 110v). You dont want to omit that green wire if you value your expensive items and facility that house your grow opperation. Can you hook them up switching the blue and brown? Yes, but it's not correct, and may have adverse effects on your device. As for using 1 wire; connecting all of your driver's into 1 plug can be done, just make sure you check wattage to wire size, and get the correct gauge wire. I use 2 drivers with 1 wire, 18awg. There are online calculators for length and power draw. You don't want things to get hot, you can't put the smoke back inside once you let it out.

I haven't put mine on an watt meter and plugged it in, but I don't think they work quite like ballasts.

Timothypaul26 said:

Your meanwell drivers already have 10v in the circuit. That is how it is able to provide the 3in1 dimming. You can do exactly what you want to do with 1 transistor, and will be more efficient than adding a power supply. The 5v PWM pin just drives the base, the transistor acts as a switch that is turning on and off at a high frequency thus draining dim+ into dim-. If you have another need for the power supply, then it makes sense to add it to your build.

I myself need a 5v power supply for a bank of relays, and the arduino can't run more than, 4?

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thanks. I am good to go then.

So placing a tap before the resistor on the base has 5v pwm and tapping on the collector side has 10v pwm, both from the same signal, with a common ground. excellent. That is what I am planning. peace

So you will dim 2 objects with 1 pin? What is your quest? You've peaked my curiosity

update. I tried the circuit without power and it does not work. I connected a 9v battery where it calls for 10v and it works great. With this cable I can create 5v and 10v signals, one signal, 10v is for the mean well driver, and the second signal 5v, is for the relay to turn the mean well driver on and off. peace

Timothypaul26 said:

So you will dim 2 objects with 1 pin? What is your quest? You've peaked my curiosity

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Yes. I can dim the mean well driver and use a opto-isolated relay to turn the mean well driver off when the signal goes off. works great. Tap the 5v before the resistor and tap the 10v between the power source and the collector of the transistor. It works great. I am using it, and th cost is like $0.10 for the bipolar transistor, $0.10 for the resistor, and $1.95 for the battery. Both 5v and 10v pwm signals from one pin to control two devices simultaneously. A simple cheap solution to a problem solved cheaply. peace

I wouldn't think you'd be able to control the relay with PWM, as the relay would require the full 5v(HIGH 0v digital, LOW 5v digital) on arduino? In your dimming control, I would think you would get undesirable results when you are between the high and low. I'm not sure what the min max voltage is for your optocoupler relay. I like where your head is at though. Maximizing your pin usage will come in handy. Do you have a thread for your build? I'd love to follow. I started one, it's in draft though. I don't feel like I have enough issues solved to open it up, yet...

yes I do. I am running the cable MOD right now and it works. https://www.rollitup.org/t/on-off-functin-for-meanwell-hlg-style-drivers-using-dimming-and-arduino.910592/
I started with this thread and started doing my own research and went looking for a simple solution. It seems the transistor works in a linear fashion with the 5v pulse, creating a corresponding 10v pules for dimming the driver. The relay 5v is tapped at the pin outlet so you get the full 5v. the transistor tracks the 5v signal and pulls voltage from the battery getting the same linear relationship as the 5v signal. The relay chatters at very low voltage, and for that purpose I use a faster ramp up to get past the 10% mark. I may modify the code to only let the signal start above 10%. Still considering the options. I have a 6 channel DIY build for free with a complete parts list and software code, and it works. I built it first and shared it DIY style. and a 8 channel custom model I am selling for those that are not interested in building a controller.. peace

Hey guys. I think I got it but to be sure - adding 50k resistor after the 100k pot will restrict the dimming to 50%-100% range, right?

More resistance equals brighter, 100k pot should give you full swing. People are using a 10k in front of the pot, this will give you ~1v at the low end, and 110k making sure that you get full brightness