Quick Query on Cree COB/Meanwell Driver Running Efficency?

DeMoNeye

Well-Known Member
I'm just about to wire up four Cree CXB3590-0000-000N0HCD35G to a Meanwell HLG-185H-C1400B
200.2W 1400mA71-143V. Will this run the COB undimmed at 100%?

I will be including a 100k Ohm Potentiometer across the dimming wires, with a fixed short resistor at 10k Ohms.

How should I set the dim to get the optimum efficiency across the COBs?
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
well the dimmer you run it, the more efficient it will be.

if you want the driver to run full tilt, put a toggle switch in line with your dimmer and open it to get the driver to 105-108% (see datasheet)

and of course youre running the driver at 100% (plus), but youre running the cobs at less than 50% of their rated power so it will be very efficient
 
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DeMoNeye

Well-Known Member
if you want the driver to run full tilt, put a toggle switch in line with your dimmer and open it to get the driver to 105-108%
Just purchased a switch - great idea to have a full bypass, for those last few weeks of flowering. Something else to add to switch bank - lamp dimmer, active cooling fan speed and now dimmer bypass.
 

optzulu

Well-Known Member
well the dimmer you run it, the more efficient it will be.

if you want the driver to run full tilt, put a toggle switch in line with your dimmer and open it to get the driver to 105-108% (see datasheet)

and of course youre running the driver at 100% (plus), but youre running the cobs at less than 50% of their rated power so it will be very efficient
Do you mean If I connect my dim- and dim+ with a toggle switch and set it in ON I will boost my driver ?
 

DeMoNeye

Well-Known Member
Try to put a storm controller with a pwm module way better bro it's sick u got a lot of channels to add more drivers
I'd love too, but I'm only ever going to run one driver it's loads of cash to lay out. Another member on here is helping me to dip my toes in Arduino. Using this as a single PWM or Resistance dimmer.
 

febisfebi

Well-Known Member
so is it better to wire the toggle to the neg lead of the dim leads or the positive lead? i thought of doing this but i never see anyone do it.
Right, like cobkits said, as long as you break the circuit that the pot is on, that is all you are trying to do. positive side, negative side, doesn't matter. Either will break the circuit that the pot is on, and give your driver the boost you are looking for. another option is to remove the pot, and cap the leads. Just depends if you want dimming capability or if you just want max power all the time. of course you could hook the pot back up later if you want dimming, but if your just after max power, which it sounds like you might be, you could save a few bucks and a small bit of time/shopping by just capping the leads. dont twist them together and wire nut though, that will make a short. separate wire nut ( or other capping method) for each lead!
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
opening circuit on a B version only gets you 105-108% of rated current. In the case of a constant current driver, both A and B models are high voltage drivers with no voltage adjustmentm both adjust current (internally or externally)

in the case of a low voltage B model (-36, -48, -54, etc.) those also have no voltage adjustment and cap hard right at nameplate voltage

now the low voltage -A models, you get extra voltage control with them

like see datasheet for 185h series

upload_2016-10-4_1-32-48.png

you can turn a 36 up to 40V
a 42 up to 46V
a 48 up to 53V

etc

you can also limit a 54 to as low as 49V to protect your cob array from over current
 
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alesh

Well-Known Member
can you go to max power on the A version? I have heard if you turn the screw all the way up it does the same thing as opening the circuit on the B version. I have also heard the opposite. Anyone know for sure?
I think the A version can be maxed out even slightly above the B version. I unfortunately can't confirm that as I don't have any A version on hand.
edit:
http://rollitup.org/t/cxb3590-1500w.878136/page-18#post-12031714
http://rollitup.org/t/running-cobs-and-mw-drivers-on-240v.890032/#post-12068652
 
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jeepster1993

Well-Known Member
How much more power are we talking about with an open dimmer circuit? 5 to 8%? That would be about 5 watts per cob?
What does the driver run at with a pot over being open? I did not know there was a dropoff?
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
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