DiY LEDs - How to Power Them

[Randomblame]

Does the diy cob is safe to use ? i currently plan to try the marshydro cob 100w, have you guys heard of this light? or i will choose to diy my own light?
https://www.mars-hydro.com/led-grow-light/mars-cree-cob-led-grow-light

• With CREE CXB 3590 COB, Brighter, Cooler, Higher PPFD
• IP65, Water-Proof
• QUIET to USE, Even in the BEDROOM
• Great Choice for Small Growers!

That Mars light seems to be one of their better lights, but they decided to run COB's and secondary deepreds more on the hard side. Probably 2,0μmol/J efficiency and you'll need one light each 3ft² because it's only 100w. Ahh, forget the 2g/w claims, thats BS.
I would rather built something myself.
Four Samsung 2ft. F-strips at 1050mA would be 100w too, but at least 2,4μmol/J.
With four latest generation COB's(like Luminous CXM22, 52v COB) at 525mA you can get the same efficiency.

With COB's you need small heatsinks and fans or passive pin fin heatsinks. With strips you only need an alu sheet/flashing to mount the strips on.
With Bridgelux EBgen2. strips you even do not need the latter, they can run completely passive with up-to 1050mA. Only a frame is needed, no need to mention that such a build weights almost nothing and does not need a strong hanging kit.

Can I ask how big your area/tent is?

 

[Mary's Confidant]

Where is everyone getting their drivers? I've tried to order at a few places -COBKITS (Sold out), Mouser/Cutter (backordered 10-12 weeks). Anyone else have them currently?

 

[ANC]

digikey, arrow?

 

[Mary's Confidant]

Arrow had what I wanted, thanks.

So I have an extra HLG 185H -C1050a & HLB185H-C1400a, I'm might look into a strip build but not sure where to start on those since they are so much different than COBs. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[Grow for fun only]

That Mars light seems to be one of their better lights, but they decided to run COB's and secondary deepreds more on the hard side. Probably 2,0μmol/J efficiency and you'll need one light each 3ft² because it's only 100w. Ahh, forget the 2g/w claims, thats BS.
I would rather built something myself.
Four Samsung 2ft. F-strips at 1050mA would be 100w too, but at least 2,4μmol/J.
With four latest generation COB's(like Luminous CXM22, 52v COB) at 525mA you can get the same efficiency.

With COB's you need small heatsinks and fans or passive pin fin heatsinks. With strips you only need an alu sheet/flashing to mount the strips on.
With Bridgelux EBgen2. strips you even do not need the latter, they can run completely passive with up-to 1050mA. Only a frame is needed, no need to mention that such a build weights almost nothing and does not need a strong hanging kit.

Can I ask how big your area/tent is?

Thanks buddy for share, but i do will check if it's correct. i have some few brands light at my house,i always check the comments online, but i still to do check in person, so buy it and to see if it's true or not like you guys said. if it really not good, i do will do my own lights. cheers

 

[shimbob]

So I have an extra HLG 185H -C1050a & HLB185H-C1400a, I'm might look into a strip build but not sure where to start on those since they are so much different than COBs. Anyone have suggestions?

The C1050 could handle 4 44" or 8 22" F-series strips in series, they'd need 184V and that driver tops out at 190V
The C1400 could handle 3 44" or 6 22", or 138V for a driver at 143V

 

[shimbob]

You could also use an HLG-320H-42A or B and wire all the strips in parallel. Maybe a few watts less but rather on the save side, right?

I know that would work too but with the strips at 342mA, that's Vf around 37.7V, way short of the driver's 42V max. My experience with running my cobs at 68V on a 96V driver and leaving me 30 watts short (of 200 max) bugs me to no end. I really want to max out the drivers on my next build.

 

[Randomblame]

I know that would work too but with the strips at 342mA, that's Vf around 37.7V, way short of the driver's 42V max. My experience with running my cobs at 68V on a 96V driver and leaving me 30 watts short (of 200 max) bugs me to no end. I really want to max out the drivers on my next build.

Okay, try it with the CC driver, it's your decision. My thumbs are pressed!

 

[Mary's Confidant]

The C1050 could handle 4 44" or 8 22" F-series strips in series, they'd need 184V and that driver tops out at 190V
The C1400 could handle 3 44" or 6 22", or 138V for a driver at 143V

Thanks @shimbob , if I wanted to put one footers in there, would just double them? ie - 16 11" F-series strips for the 1050ma? or 12 - 11" for the 1400 driver?

Digikey won't sell less than 160 per order so I don't know if this is the strip I want to go with. Any other strip suggestions? Could I throw some QB 288 V2s on this?

 

[shimbob]

Thanks @shimbob , if I wanted to put one footers in there, would just double them? ie - 16 11" F-series strips for the 1050ma? or 12 - 11" for the 1400 driver?

Actually, no. Go read the datasheet for the F-series strips. the 11" are actually same Vf as the 22".

Digikey won't sell less than 160 per order so I don't know if this is the strip I want to go with. Any other strip suggestions?

Bridgelux EB Gen 2

 

[Grow for fun only]

do the light keep 20/4 or 18/6 or 24/7 have any difference there ?

 

[Mary's Confidant]

Actually, no. Go read the datasheet for the F-series strips. the 11" are actually same Vf as the 22".


Bridgelux EB Gen 2

Thanks @shimbob & @Randomblame , I went and looked and I think I have a better idea of what I can do with each driver.

185H-C1400B has an output voltage range of 71-143. How close do we want to get to the top of that range? I was looking at the Samsung LM561C strips and it looks like I could do an 8s3p set-up but it'll run me to 141V which I'm guessing is too close for comfort? Are the LM561Cs old tech now?

 

[Grow for fun only]

Anybody use led grow light to grow the roof stuffs in the tank? I i think i will be the first one, i put my marsii 600 light on the fish tank today, dont know it amazing thing will happy there.

Never be afraid to try new things, and If something works for you do it not everyone will have the same experiences, there is always a few ways to do things don't let anyone tell you your wrong if it works.

 

[Randomblame]

Thanks @shimbob & @Randomblame , I went and looked and I think I have a better idea of what I can do with each driver.

185H-C1400B has an output voltage range of 71-143. How close do we want to get to the top of that range? I was looking at the Samsung LM561C strips and it looks like I could do an 8s3p set-up but it'll run me to 141V which I'm guessing is too close for comfort? Are the LM561Cs old tech now?

F-series strips are in the same range like the newer ones, when you run them at only 467mA(3 parallel strings) you will get ~195lm/w from a 3000°k F-strip(52mA per diode). One 2ft. single row F-strip needs ~22,5v at 467mA because of much lower case temps.(only 35-40°C glued on c-channels)
You could use 18pcs 2ft single row or 18pcs 1' double row F-strips(6x 22,5=135v, 3 times in parallel or 6s3p).
If you rather like the 4 footers(~45v @467mA) you need 9pcs 4ft single row strips, connected in 3s3p.
135v x 1,4A would be ~190w, but most of the time these drivers have more juice and you can expect up to 210w or 225w at the wall.

 

[Mary's Confidant]

F-series strips are in the same range like the newer ones, when you run them at only 467mA(3 parallel strings) you will get ~195lm/w from a 3000°k F-strip(52mA per diode). One 2ft. single row F-strip needs ~22,5v at 467mA because of much lower case temps.(only 35-40°C glued on c-channels)
You could use 18pcs 2ft single row or 18pcs 1' double row F-strips(6x 22,5=135v, 3 times in parallel or 6s3p).
If you rather like the 4 footers(~45v @467mA) you need 9pcs 4ft single row strips, connected in 3s3p.
135v x 1,4A would be ~190w, but most of the time these drivers have more juice and you can expect up to 210w or 225w at the wall.

Thanks @Randomblame,

When I look at:

https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=SI-B8V261280WW

I see a max current of 1.8A but I also see people say running them at 467mA is 75%? Can you point me to where we make these calculations? I get how do it for COBs but I'm still confused on the strips. THanks!

 

[shimbob]

UI see a max current of 1.8A but I also see people say running them at 467mA is 75%?

.467/1.8=.259, or 1-(.467/1.8 )=.741, aka 75%

 

[Randomblame]

Thanks @Randomblame,

When I look at:

https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=SI-B8V261280WW

I see a max current of 1.8A but I also see people say running them at 467mA is 75%? Can you point me to where we make these calculations? I get how do it for COBs but I'm still confused on the strips. THanks!

It's the same with strips.
1,8A is the absolute maximum rating, the tests were done at nominal current, which is 1120mA. If you run the strips at half nom. current or 50% you would get ~53% light compared to 1120mA light output. To get 75% of the nom. output you need to run them probably at ~800mA. At 467mA the strips get ~42% of the nominal current, according to LM561c datasheet I would estimate ~46 or 47% of the nominal output.
If you calculate that against the maximum current you would get different numbers but there is no way you get 75% of the light at only 467mA. That's nomsense!
23v F-strips have 72 diodes in 8s9p, 467mA would be 51,666mA for each parallel string of 8 diodes.
I'll use 52mA and if we look at the datasheet one LM561c at 52mA(and maybe 35° Tc.) needs ~2,7v and S6 top bin should deliver ~27,5lm per diode. That's 195lm/w or 2,8μmol/j or ~60,5% effiency. With driver and wall loss that's still 2,6μmol/s or 56% on system level.(pretty good, IMO)
If you run the strips at 800mA or ~75% of the nom. current the diodes would run with ~89mA(800mA : 9), efficiency goes down to ~184lm/w or 2,66μmol/j or 2,45μmol/j or 52,7% at system level.

The math above looks maybe impressive for someone but it's not so easy to calculate % values of light output for different currents. At least there are a few missing data you need to take into account.

If 1,8A is 100% or max. current,
467mA would be ~26% of the maximum.
Calculated with nom. current of 1120mA 467mA would be 42%.

Light output with 26% of the maximum would be somewhere between 35-40% of the maximum because of better efficiency at lower currents but never ever 75%, that's simply not possible.

 

[BaconFlowers24]

LED community; I require electrical engineering expertise

Howdy,

I am hoping to purchase several of your new Quantum Board Kits that come with 2 boards / heat sink {260W XL QB V2 LED KIT}'s. I am a bit out of my element when trying to understand how many lights i will be able to run off of one 120V 20Amp breaker.
It seems like the driver that comes with the kit {HLG-240H-CxxxxA} draws 3 amps, and thus 6x of these drivers can safely run off of one 120V 20 Amp breaker?

From an efficiency standpoint, would yall have any recommendation for running multuple 260W XL QB V2 LED Kits?

should i consider using a 240V driver?
or is 120V best?
run multiple kits with a different single driver?

My overall goal is to run up to 30 kits with the fewest breakers and maintain design efficiency. (universal dimming would also be a big plus)

Thank you for your time,
Bacon Flowers


I like the extended size of the wide heat sinks but am open to any constructive opinions on how to best light up two x 125 sq ft bedrooms...

 

[ANC]

It is in the HLG-240 datasheet or application note....

That being said, I have connected 15 of them to a 16A 220W breaker

I think the recommended number is something like 2.

 

[john073]

Good Day

I am looking at getting the following for a 5x5 grow tent,

getting 12 or 14 of the f series 3500k 8800 lumen strips with the 240w mean well drivers, as i see it, if i have more drivers there is not a single point of failure so if 1 driver fails then not so many strips will be down till i can get a replacement driver.

Will 14 strips be good enough for a 5x5 grow tent?

I was thinking of putting 4 strips per 240w mean well driver, each strip uses 1.1A in that corters so the 5A 48V drivers should be good to help me push the 4 strips to max, but is it worth it to not drive the strips that hard and put 5 strips on a 240w driver and push them at lets say between 80-85%?

Then lets say i get 15 strips and 3x240w mean well drivers, if my calculations are correct i should be able to push them to 90% about?

Thanks