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BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
WestDenverPioneer said:
I doubt you're pulling enough amps to trip anything but a relay might be what you're looking for.
Click to expand...
the correct term for this application is 'contactor' (or more specifically a 'lighting contactor'). but yeah its a big ass relay

if youre concerned about current run your drivers at 240V and cut current in half. you'll gain 2% in driver efficiency and can run smaller wire size for the circuit as well

they do have serious inrush current and they recommend right on the datasheet only 2 or 3 drivers per 16A 230V circuit breaker (ive never actually seen a 16A circuit breaker maybe thats some weird lighting standard). id have to assume based on the normal current draw that you can put many more than 2 on a circuit
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
Worth noting for large installs

the 600W HLC-600H high current driver only draws 70A at inrush vs 55 for the 200W HLC-185H series

inrush on your 5400W project would be reduced to 630A vs 1485A by using the larger drivers (which are also slightly more efficient)
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
search 'delay contactor' on ebay youll find everything from new chinese solid state to old school used allen bradley/GE/square D etc.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
BOBBY_G said:
the correct term for this application is 'contactor' (or more specifically a 'lighting contactor'). but yeah its a big ass relay

if youre concerned about current run your drivers at 240V and cut current in half. you'll gain 2% in driver efficiency and can run smaller wire size for the circuit as well

they do have serious inrush current and they recommend right on the datasheet only 2 or 3 drivers per 16A 230V circuit breaker (ive never actually seen a 16A circuit breaker maybe thats some weird lighting standard). id have to assume based on the normal current draw that you can put many more than 2 on a circuit
Click to expand...
I am running them on 240V, and I have a lot more of them than just two or three, lol

They're on a dedicated power controller, Titan Helios 8, and the contactors are in there. We will see what we see, I guess. Maybe a slow trip breaker? Not sure that's safe.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Since they use capacitors on AC units with compressors for this kind of situation, might it also work for this application?
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
Contactor isn't the issue, it's the breaker.
Click to expand...
your breaker can handle all the power you need for running. my opinion is when they say not more than 2 or 3 on a breaker they mean starting at one time (or that 16A should be reserved for starting.

sooo.. your 27 x 200W drivers for 5400W
each driver is 0.9A
lets 'reserve' 16A for two or 3 drivers to start at a time
lets stick to 30A circuits so we dont need to run anything over commonly available #10 wire

per 30A type C breaker:
16A of 'headroom' for starting 3 drivers at a time
14A of usable running power
15 drivers = 13.5A running
at this point you should be able to 'start' 3 more drivers

id start with that and push it. your overall load is 22.5A@240V. 1 30A circuit might do it

can you start 4 at a time without tripping? you'd start 4 drivers at T0 and then need 6 time delays to start the next 23

can you start 5? you'd start 5 drivers at T0 and then need 5 time delays to start the next 22

can you start 6? you'd start 6 drivers at T0 and then need 4 time delays to start the next 21

etc.
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
very possible that you can start 6 out of the gate, 5 on the first or 2nd contactor, 4 on the 2nd or 3rd, etc
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
BOBBY_G said:
your breaker can handle all the power you need for running. my opinion is when they say not more than 2 or 3 on a breaker they mean starting at one time (or that 16A should be reserved for starting.

sooo.. your 27 x 200W drivers for 5400W
each driver is 0.9A
lets 'reserve' 16A for two or 3 drivers to start at a time
lets stick to 30A circuits so we dont need to run anything over commonly available #10 wire

per 30A type C breaker:
16A of 'headroom' for starting 3 drivers at a time
14A of usable running power
15 drivers = 13.5A running
at this point you should be able to 'start' 3 more drivers

id start with that and push it. your overall load is 22.5A@240V. 1 30A circuit might do it

can you start 4 at a time without tripping? you'd start 4 drivers at T0 and then need 6 time delays to start the next 23

can you start 5? you'd start 5 drivers at T0 and then need 5 time delays to start the next 22

can you start 6? you'd start 6 drivers at T0 and then need 4 time delays to start the next 21

etc.
Click to expand...
Dude, it would be helpful if we stick to what I'm using. So, let's stick to the 50A service.

Each module pulls 225W, there are 24 of them.

I'm having a lot of trouble with the idea that I need 16A to turn three on. I kick two on a 15A @ 120V all the time. I need someone with direct experience because this is getting a little far fetched.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
BOBBY_G said:
heres your $8 contactor

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-LC1D18M7C-LC1-D18M7C-AC220V-Contactor-NEW-/151577631216?hash=item234abb19f0:g:u1MAAOSwuTxV7ptQ

which uses the bolt-on delay timer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-LA2-DT2-Delay-timer-0-1-30S-use-to-LC1-D-AC-Contactor-/171604905068?hash=item27f4730c6c:g:edoAAOSwofxUl4IY

buy 4 of each of those for $64 and if it doesnt work, drop $32 on 2 more
Click to expand...
Aha! A completely different animal than what I had in mind. I'll look into these.
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
Dude, it would be helpful if we stick to what I'm using. So, let's stick to the 50A service.

Each module pulls 225W, there are 24 of them.

I'm having a lot of trouble with the idea that I need 16A to turn three on. I kick two on a 15A @ 120V all the time. I need someone with direct experience because this is getting a little far fetched.
Click to expand...

yeah gotta experiment brahski. sounds like the gear is in house so get crackin and report back ;)
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
BOBBY_G said:
heres your $8 contactor

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-LC1D18M7C-LC1-D18M7C-AC220V-Contactor-NEW-/151577631216?hash=item234abb19f0:g:u1MAAOSwuTxV7ptQ

which uses the bolt-on delay timer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-LA2-DT2-Delay-timer-0-1-30S-use-to-LC1-D-AC-Contactor-/171604905068?hash=item27f4730c6c:g:edoAAOSwofxUl4IY

buy 4 of each of those for $64 and if it doesnt work, drop $32 on 2 more
Click to expand...
Are these strictly inline units? I'm envisioning cutting a power strip cord and installing, that simple.
 
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