nevergoodenuf
Well-Known Member
My new light has dimmable power supplies. Where do I buy the dimmer. Will I have to order it or would a store like Fry's have them?
DiY LEDs - How to Power Them
- Thread starter SupraSPL
- Start date
nevergoodenuf
Well-Known Member
Some type of programmable dimmer would be sweet.
http://www.cree.com/Lighting/Products/Indoor/Controls/Smartcast
Something similar to this.
http://www.cree.com/Lighting/Products/Indoor/Controls/Smartcast
Something similar to this.
bicit
Well-Known Member
Even with the little bit of 28gauge fused between the connector and the 18 gauge wire? It's about half an inch or so.
epicfail
Well-Known Member
The inverter is good for a power outage but if you want to permanently power it from 12vdc, a better way would probably be to get a DC step up driver. Converting from 12vdc to 120vac to 42vdc seems inefficient, your already running DC from the solar just use something like the Meanwell LDH-45A-1050W ($11 @ Jameco). It is a dimmable DC constant current step up driver that will output up to 43v @ 1050mA. I don't know of any that will do 1400mA+ but they probably exist.
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epicfail
Well-Known Member
I had to go back to find this quote...
So the HLG-185H-C1050A you say is capped at 190V. Say you dim it to 700mA, Does it allow you to use a higher voltage closer to the 286V the -C700A would be capped at?
MrFlux says when you use less voltage it opens up more current, though I thought the current would have been capped at 1.4A.
Basically what I am asking is if I dim the HLG-185H-C1400* down a bit could a run 4 cxa's off it?
I guess if I dim them enough that each cob's draw is less than 35.75 Vf I should be able to run four, I just can't max them out. I still haven't decided on which ones to get.
So the HLG-185H-C1050A you say is capped at 190V. Say you dim it to 700mA, Does it allow you to use a higher voltage closer to the 286V the -C700A would be capped at?
MrFlux says when you use less voltage it opens up more current, though I thought the current would have been capped at 1.4A.
Basically what I am asking is if I dim the HLG-185H-C1400* down a bit could a run 4 cxa's off it?
I guess if I dim them enough that each cob's draw is less than 35.75 Vf I should be able to run four, I just can't max them out. I still haven't decided on which ones to get.
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SupraSPL
Well-Known Member
Awesome find thnx!
190vf remains the cap, but when dimmed the COBs have a lower vF so you can squeeze more of them on the string. Yes I believe if you dim the C1400A you could fit 4 3070s, although I am not sure how far you would have to dim it. If it is below 1150mA then you would be better off with a C1050A (which outputs up to 1150mA at 191vF).
Thanks very much epicfail. Yes! That was what I was looking for. I did start searching meanwells line up but was a bit lost. They do seem to offer other current regulated drivers as well..and up to 90% efficient..
I might as well just ask, sorry i'm not lazy. I forget things I don't use every day... I'm largely ok before the first bake..
So, for the sake of keeping things simple lets say 100w panel feeding a 100amp battery (12v). Working on 7hrs good sunlight and allowing for inefficiencies there should be (very) roughly- 50 amps into that battery each day. Is this a simple conversion ie.
So.. (for the exercise) A cob running @ say for ease- 36v /.5amp up to 18hrs x .5 (amps) x3 (12v-36 conversion) = 27/12v amps used each day.. i'm not entirely sure amps are even the correct measure- amp/hours, perhaps (?) I need 27(12v) amp/h for a cob running 36v/18hrs in which case 1 3070 cob driven @ .5amps.. off a 100amp battery reserve & 100watt panel for up to 18hrs/day.. 2/3 cobs would leave some reserve?
So, for the sake of keeping things simple lets say 100w panel feeding a 100amp battery (12v). Working on 7hrs good sunlight and allowing for inefficiencies there should be (very) roughly- 50 amps into that battery each day. Is this a simple conversion ie.
So.. (for the exercise) A cob running @ say for ease- 36v /.5amp up to 18hrs x .5 (amps) x3 (12v-36 conversion) = 27/12v amps used each day.. i'm not entirely sure amps are even the correct measure- amp/hours, perhaps (?) I need 27(12v) amp/h for a cob running 36v/18hrs in which case 1 3070 cob driven @ .5amps.. off a 100amp battery reserve & 100watt panel for up to 18hrs/day.. 2/3 cobs would leave some reserve?
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epicfail
Well-Known Member
My new light has dimmable power supplies. Where do I buy the dimmer. Will I have to order it or would a store like Fry's have them?
The drivers in your fixture are the Meanwell HLG-240H-48B which can easily be dimmed with a 100K ohm pot but since there are 2 of them in the fixture your going to want to get a 50K pot to control them both at once. The problem I am seeing with the above picture is the wire colors, according to the spec sheet the dim wires are blue(+) and white(-). Your wires seem to be brown(+) and blue(-) if I'm reading that blue wire correctly (0-10v -). Those must be a lead wire connected to the blue/white coming from the driver, but is it connected to both drivers? You might have to follow the wire to check.
You can also dim with PWM 1-10vdc led dimmer unit but they can be expensive. If I was to do PWM dimming I would use a Arduino or a similar micro controller with a RTC. It would be cool to have the light fade on in the morning and off at night, maybe create some mid day fading to simulate clouds and fight plant depression. I think I read that in one of SDS threads, sounds like an interesting test for a micro cab project if someday I have spare time.
Just to say that after much staring I get:
At least 230w from solar panels (15.3a x 7.5hrs/12v)- feeding, at least, 225ah battery bank (leaving 50% in reserve for 12hrs lighting) will power 3 x 3070 @ 1050mA .. (/12hrs)
+ a few small fans -
to buy, costing $700-$900 initially, for panels/reg/batt/drivers and + around $100 p/a to maintain
edited ; )
At least 230w from solar panels (15.3a x 7.5hrs/12v)- feeding, at least, 225ah battery bank (leaving 50% in reserve for 12hrs lighting) will power 3 x 3070 @ 1050mA .. (/12hrs)
+ a few small fans -
to buy, costing $700-$900 initially, for panels/reg/batt/drivers and + around $100 p/a to maintain
edited ; )
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Scotch089
Well-Known Member
Taz you should do a thread giving a rundown on your solar panels: parts, connections, ratings and such. You'd be taking up responsibility answering (at least) my dumbass questions but I'm sure there are a few of us that have wanted/would want to start something.
Props to you for taking the steps to be electrically savvy.
Props to you for taking the steps to be electrically savvy.
GroErr
Well-Known Member
Sounds like an awesome combo, would still be difficult (costly) to run a lot of power, but highly efficient LED's and DIY solar sounds like an opportunity for some enhancement, or a slam dunk for running low-draw or temporary lights like initiators
I might grab a driver and give it a go, might have enough gear already to power one cob .. though I also think those figures are a bit hopeful.
I'd agree, might be ok for supplemental greenhouse lighting, stealthy cabinet. To make most use of the aging batteries- continuous running.
Never taken much notice before, we only use the panels for occasional lighting, but being told to expect only 2/3 hrs of full panel power in winter (not 7/8..) In that case could be more like a330w panels/330aH batteries and for only 1-3 cobs
I'd agree, might be ok for supplemental greenhouse lighting, stealthy cabinet. To make most use of the aging batteries- continuous running.
Never taken much notice before, we only use the panels for occasional lighting, but being told to expect only 2/3 hrs of full panel power in winter (not 7/8..) In that case could be more like a330w panels/330aH batteries and for only 1-3 cobs
reasonevangelist
Well-Known Member
not really a "how to power" question, but... it could potentially become one.
few CXA3070 versus many XM-L2. Go!
(i realize the xm-l2 are much smaller and would obviously require more intricate soldering/wiring and probably a more complex circuit, but it would seem that the xm-l2 are the top of the efficiency food chain, so wondering how you experienced types feel about the comparison, or whether it's even a "fair" comparison at all... among other things! ...and any helpful discussion on the matter)
few CXA3070 versus many XM-L2. Go!
(i realize the xm-l2 are much smaller and would obviously require more intricate soldering/wiring and probably a more complex circuit, but it would seem that the xm-l2 are the top of the efficiency food chain, so wondering how you experienced types feel about the comparison, or whether it's even a "fair" comparison at all... among other things! ...and any helpful discussion on the matter)
smokey the cat
Well-Known Member
Both are efficient emitters - there is a great thread on here called "cxa analysis" to see a good comparison.
The cxa concentrates heat into a single spot and acts a light point source -very different to an equivalent wattage of xml2 on 20mm stars.
And pointing out the obvious: it is a billion times easier to build and cool a few cobs than a few hundred 20mm stars.
Thinking about XML2 for my micro mom/clone chamber though - cobs need a bit more headroom to cover a given canopy.
Xml2 currently cheapest on fasttech http://www.fasttech.com/products/1609/10003889/1574600 - nice bin
Cxa best sourced via official component channels
Chronikool
Well-Known Member
Supra, Posi, Scotch and myself (and therre are probably otherz...but the DIY crew are growing...i cant keep up 
) have incorporated both COB and xm-l2 emiterz in our buildz...
For myself... i wanted a few more 'supplement whites' and more blue (xm-l2 4200k's) to go with my 'primary light sources' 3000k COB'z...
) have incorporated both COB and xm-l2 emiterz in our buildz...For myself... i wanted a few more 'supplement whites' and more blue (xm-l2 4200k's) to go with my 'primary light sources' 3000k COB'z...
As some people asked me how I wire my led lamps, this is how, I bought 6 10 watt outdoor LED security lamps costing about 15 euro each, a roll of 3 core cable costing 25euro, and a house hold trip switch costing 7 euro. I wired them in line to the trip switch, from my trip switch I wired my 240 volt power supply to a wall plug and timer. If you can wire a plug you will have no trouble getting this sorted. 1 plug with a 13 amp fuse will be enough to supply all 6 lamps as its only 60 watts of power. My plants are growing faster and bigger since I changed from cfl to led, and I'm using far less power. The photo i posted is of a 12 day old ak47 plant growen under led lamps.