DIY with Quantum Boards

lukio

Well-Known Member
They made the QB 96 strips and I bought two. I fit them into a 4ft T5 fixture to replace an old bulb. An absolutely wonderful conversion, my house plants love it! Then Pppffft...... they were gone. I had planned to buy a couple more.
ah they sound good! wonder if any more are coming....
 

Blossom21

Active Member
I need some help with my quantum boards, not sure if this is right place to post but i ask here: Is my "watt meter" and multimeter showing correct readings or what's up with my drivers and boards?

I have 2x hlg-240h-48AB drivers and 4x "125w" kingbrite boards (rated 48v 2.7A), running two boards with each driver.

I have each setup running parallel (using two wagos to connect the boards), one black and red wire coming from each boards to a 3 hole wago that connects straight to the driver wire. I took the voltage measurements straight from those wagos. When measuring amperage, i took out the red driver wire from one wago, connected it to a third wago with one multimeter lead, and put the other lead to the wago i took the red driver wire from. This should give me full circuit.

First i took out my multimeter and measured the drivers without any boards connected to them, both drivers read between 42.8V - 53.6V, turning Io pot or external dim pot has no effect. So the same measurements with both drivers. With my reading i'm a little bit consufed how they don't much at all with the meanwell datasheet for the 240h-48 type drivers. And how the boards aren't getting more than ~45V if they should be 48v boards. At least the drivers can push tons of amperage, but how that affect the boards? Maybe greater minds can explain what i'm missing and how it works.

Personally i would think both the boards are actually 45V and/or meanwell datasheet isn't that accurate so adjust ranges are actually bigger, those would explain a lot.

Btw. i have no idea if the "watt meter" really works or makes any sense at all since it showed 340W or something at one point, but it seems to have "consisted" numbers at least.

I'm very soon about to start growing so i'm gonna need some help asap if anyone has ideas how should i adjust these right, and if there something wrong with the drivers/boards or are they running as designed? The driver adjustment ranges don't seem to match the datasheets so i'm a little bit confused about that.

- Setup #1:

Started measuring Voltage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 42.4V & 56.6W
Both pots 50% = 44v & 162W
Both pots 100% = 45V & 308W

Io @ 100% & Vo @ 45% = 45V & 307W (45V seems to be the max when measuring voltage with boards connected to the driver)
Vo @ 0% & Io @ 40% = 42.9V & 111W

Started measuring Amperage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 1.05A & 55W
Both pots 50% = 3.11A & 158W
Both pots 100% = 6.27A & 342W

Then i connected my external dim pot in (tested with 2 different pots and both seem to be the same):

All 3 pots (Vo, Io & external) @ 0% = 0.04A & 3W
Vo & Io 0%, external pot 100% = 0.99A & 52W (turning Vo has no effect, jumps a tiny bit to 1.08A when i turn it very little near the minimum)
Vo 0% & Io @ 100% doesn't change the max (0.99A), but turning external pot to 0% stays at 0.45A

Vo & Io @ 50% = 3.13A & 159.5W, external pot @ 0% = 0.22A & 12.5W
Vo & Io @ 100% = 6.12A & 334W, external pot @ 0% = 0.45A & 24.2W

- Setup #2

Started measuring Voltage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 42.4v & 57.4W
Both pots 50% = 44v & 159W
Both pots 100% = 45.4V & 294W

Io @ 100% & Vo @ 45% = 45.2V & 293W
Vo @ 0% & Io @ 40% = 42.8V & 95.9W

Started measuring Amperage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 0.99A & 52.4W
Both pots 50% = 3.22A & 164.7W
Both pots 100% = 5.92A & 322.7W

Then i connected my external dim pot in (tested with 2 different pots and both seem to be the same):

All 3 pots (Vo, Io & external) @ 0% = 0.04A & 3.3W
Vo & Io 0%, external pot 100% = 0.99A & 52.2W (turning Vo has no effect, jumps a tiny bit to 1.10A & 57.6W when i turn it very little near the minimum)

Vo & Io @ 50% = 3.04A & 154W, external pot @ 0% = 0.21A & 12.2W
Vo & Io @ 100% = 5.86A & 319W, external pot @ 0% = 0.43A & 23.2W
 
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captainmorgan

Well-Known Member
I need some help with my quantum boards, not sure if this is right place to post but i ask here: Is my "watt meter" and multimeter showing correct readings or what's up with my drivers and boards? I have 2x hlg-240h-48AB drivers and 4x "125w" kingbrite boards (rated 48v 2.7A), running two boards with each driver.

I have each setup running parallel (using two wagos to connect the boards), one black and red wire coming from each boards to a 3 hole wago that connects straight to the driver wire. I took the voltage measurements straight from those wagos. When measuring amperage, i took out the red driver wire from one wago, connected it to a third wago with one multimeter lead, and put the other lead to the wago i took the red driver wire from. This should give me full circuit.

First i took out my multimeter and measured the drivers without any boards connected to them, both drivers read between 42.8V - 53.6V, turning Io pot or external dim pot has no effect. So the same measurements with both drivers.

Btw. i have no idea if the "watt meter" really works or makes any sense at all since it showed 340W or something at one point, but it seems to have "consisted" numbers at least.

I'm very soon about to start growing so i'm gonna need some help asap if anyone has ideas how should i adjust these right! :)

- Setup #1:

Started measuring Voltage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 42.4V & 56.6W
Both pots 50% = 44v & 162W
Both pots 100% = 45V & 308W

Io @ 100% & Vo @ 45% = 45V & 307W (45V seems to be the max when measuring voltage with boards connected to the driver)
Vo @ 0% & Io @ 40% = 42.9V & 111W

Started measuring Amperage: (External dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 1.05A & 55W
Both pots 50% = 3.11A & 158W
Both pots 100% = 6.27A & 342W

Then i connected my external dim pot in (tested with 2 different pots and both seem to be the same):

All 3 pots (Vo, Io & external) @ 0% = 0.04A & 3W
Vo & Io 0%, external pot 100% = 0.99A & 52W (turning Vo has no effect, jumps a tiny bit to 1.08A when i turn it very little at the bottom)
Vo 0% & Io @ 100% doesn't change the max (0.99A), but turning external pot to 0% stays at 0.45A

Vo & Io @50% = 3.13A & 159.5W, external pot @ 0% = 0.22A & 12.5W
Vo & Io @ 100% = 6.12A & 334W, external pot @ 0% = 0.45A & 24.2W

- Setup #2

Started measuring Voltage: (Dim pot taken off)

Both pots 0% = 42.4v & 57.4W
Both pots 50% = 44v & 159W
Both pots 100% = 45.4V & 294W

Io 100% & Vo @ 45% = 45.2V & 293W
Vo 0% & Io @ 40% = 42.8V & 95.9W

Started measuring Amperage:

Both pots 0% = 0.99A & 52.4W
Both pots 50% = 3.22A & 164.7W
Both pots 100% = 5.92A & 322.7W

Then i connected my external dim pot in (tested with 2 different pots and both seem to be the same):

All 3 pots 0% = 0.04A & 3.3W
Vo & Io 0%, external pot 100% = 0.99A & 52.2W (turning Vo have no effect, jumps to 1.10A & 57.6W when i turn it very little at the start)
Io @ 100 % doesn't change the max, but turning external pot to 0% stays at 0.43A & 23.2W

Vo & Io 50% = 3.04A & 154W, external pot 0% = 0.21A & 12.2W
Vo & Io 100% = 5.86A & 319W, external pot 0% = 0.43A & 23.2W
Those aren't quantum boards, they are knock offs from a company that stole the name.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
Only because the chinese stole the term from HLG, the Chinese have absolutely no respect for others trademarks or patents. Its also why all those copys are crap.

Yeah we could argue if they are quantum boards or not, people still use that term to mean similar products so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
 
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pop22

Well-Known Member
have you measured with the boards connected? Where did you buy the drivers, also from kingbrite? Sounds to me like you got counterfeit drivers too.... I've yet to test a Meanwell Driver that didn't perform exactly to spec and 80% produced 10%+ more amperage. Easy to find out, submit the serial number to Meanwell. Meanwell uses the serial numbers to validate your warranty.
 

HitemwiththeHine

Well-Known Member
Yeah we could argue if they are quantum boards or not, people still use that term to mean similar products so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
If you ask me about Quantum Boards, I'm going to assume you are referring to a particular consumer product, because that's what Quantum Boards are. How silly, then, to be upset that I didn't assume you were referring to something else.
 

Blossom21

Active Member
have you measured with the boards connected? Where did you buy the drivers, also from kingbrite? Sounds to me like you got counterfeit drivers too.... I've yet to test a Meanwell Driver that didn't perform exactly to spec and 80% produced 10%+ more amperage. Easy to find out, submit the serial number to Meanwell. Meanwell uses the serial numbers to validate your warranty.
What you mean by measured the boards connected? Yeah they're from kingbrite, i checked the serial numbers from both drivers and they both give out results:

Serial No Work-order No Model No Assembly Serial No Factory PDF Link
1 W1905A188 HLG-240H-48AB HB95404401-HB95406200 GZ
 

Blossom21

Active Member
If you ask me about Quantum Boards, I'm going to assume you are referring to a particular consumer product, because that's what Quantum Boards are. How silly, then, to be upset that I didn't assume you were referring to something else.
I actually clearly mentioned where the boards are from, and people get pissy about calling them quantum boards when they look the same and operate the same way. Sorry i didn't know HLG owns that name and it's fordibben to use that to mean any other LED boards, so can we move on already.
 

HitemwiththeHine

Well-Known Member
I actually clearly mentioned where the boards are from, and people get pissy about calling them quantum boards when they look the same and operate the same way. Sorry i didn't know HLG owns that name and it's fordibben to use that to mean any other LED boards, so can we move on already.
It's just annoying, settle down Shirley.
 

HitemwiththeHine

Well-Known Member
I actually clearly mentioned where the boards are from, and people get pissy about calling them quantum boards when they look the same and operate the same way. Sorry i didn't know HLG owns that name and it's fordibben to use that to mean any other LED boards, so can we move on already.
Certainly you see value in getting correct advice for the correct equipment. No point in someone spending the time just to find out the specs are all wrong bc you have a different product, etc.
 

Blossom21

Active Member
Certainly you see value in getting correct advice for the correct equipment. No point in someone spending the time just to find out the specs are all wrong bc you have a different product, etc.
I sure do see value getting correct advice, that's why i mentioned exactly what i'm running and what kind of results i came up with my own. Let's focus on that instead now shall we ;)
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
although I can't point you to the source, I recently read someone with pretty much the same issue. He later found out that it was because the LEDs were NOT real Samsungs... that may explain this for you also. Not saying yours are but....

I sure do see value getting correct advice, that's why i mentioned exactly what i'm running and what kind of results i came up with my own. Let's focus on that instead now shall we ;)
 

Blossom21

Active Member
although I can't point you to the source, I recently read someone with pretty much the same issue. He later found out that it was because the LEDs were NOT real Samsungs... that may explain this for you also. Not saying yours are but....
Fake LEDs? Source for that would be fantastic, do you remember where they from though? I've heard good things about kingbrite and i haven't found people complaining about their prodcuts, that's why i chose to buy from them in the first place.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
Kingbrite does have a fairly good rep, doesn't mean they can't get swindled. I hope I'm wrong, but on the other hand, this is why I buy from HLG, I don't have to even consider such a thing, on top of all the other benefits of buying their products. I'll see if I can't find that thread, I recalled it because I seem to remember him having similar voltages. And I have also noticed that many of the chinese boards that claim they are using Samsung chips are using the LM301H, not the 301B. Don't know they difference need to look it up.

Fake LEDs? Source for that would be fantastic, do you remember where they from though? I've heard good things about kingbrite and i haven't found people complaining about their prodcuts, that's why i chose to buy from them in the first place.
 
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