I run my LPF driver at max amperage (2150mA).Does anyone actually run their HLG drivers at 100% load? Or do you all keep it to the recommended max of 80% load?
I recommend the Vero 29C if you're sticking to Bridgelux. Cree CXB3590s or Citizen 1818s otherwise.I've got a HLG-185H-C1050a I've been running Vero 18's on. I'm buildng a 21" x 31" cab with about 30" of room from cob to top of pot. Wondering if anyone sees a better choice for cobs that Will get the mOst out of this driver and nice even spread due to my height limitations. I plan to LST and top. thnx
The driver? I doubt it. Maybe if the emitter is rated for near 100% of the driver amperage. It shouldn't fail, just running at full capacity, or I'd say that is a pretty shit design. I run mine pretty high, and haven't had an issue yet.Meanwell told me that running my drivers (HLG-600H-54B) at 90~100% will reduce lifetime from the expected 62K hours down to about 20K hours and if Tcase temps go above 75deg C, the 7 year warranty is void.
I plan to power four CLU058-1825's with one driver. 100% load would give me 150watts (max 54V) each, 80% load = 120watts... These COBs can handle that easy, I'm just worried about driving the power supply at 100%.The driver? I doubt it. Maybe if the emitter is rated for near 100% of the driver amperage. It shouldn't fail, just running at full capacity, or I'd say that is a pretty shit design.
This makes me wonder how they rate the non dimmable... just intentionally dialed back to 80% of what they are actually capable of perhaps.Meanwell told me that running my drivers (HLG-600H-54B) at 90~100% will reduce lifetime from the expected 62K hours down to about 20K hours and if Tcase temps go above 75deg C, the 7 year warranty is void.
I guess the question is, what kind of Tcase temps can I expect at any given load at room temps (23deg C) assuming I mount my drivers outside the tent/box.
They can handle the max. It just depletes chip life, and efficiency plummets sharply by a certain point.If they cant do they maximum they are rated to do why not self limit so it cant reach full output and rate them to what it does do at 80% or whatever they deem safe?
And another point, as long as you can keep Tc under 75c then ( which isnt hard to do at all ) it should still be under warranty if it dies on the short side of 20k hours being on a 12/12 cycle constantly. That or you squeeze that extra ~20% out of your light and weigh the costs of possibly having to replace the driver after 7+ years... I say its really a non issue unless youre super anal about needing your driver to last 20+ years...Meanwell told me that running my drivers (HLG-600H-54B) at 90~100% will reduce lifetime from the expected 62K hours down to about 20K hours and if Tcase temps go above 75deg C, the 7 year warranty is void.
I guess the question is, what kind of Tcase temps can I expect at any given load at room temps (23deg C) assuming I mount my drivers outside the tent/box.
I prefer to run mine at 108%
Normal size screwdriver works just fine. Didnt cost me anything extra either, happened to have a screwdriver lying around lol.I don't have to play with a tiny screwdriver.
The same spec sheet seems to cover all versions; A, B and blank. Seeing that people run these drivers at max load makes me feel better, I'm still waiting for mine to run some tests, but if keeping Tc at a reasonable level isn't difficult (I can put a fan on the driver as well), max load shouldn't be an issue. Actually, efficiency seems to be the highest between 80% and 100% load, at least for 230V input.This makes me wonder how they rate the non dimmable... just intentionally dialed back to 80% of what they are actually capable of perhaps
Like I said though, if youre running a dimmer and have it maxed you are likely running it at over the rated 100%.The same spec sheet seems to cover all versions; A, B and blank. Seeing that people run these drivers at max load makes me feel better, I'm still waiting for mine to run some tests, but if keeping Tc at a reasonable level isn't difficult (I can put a fan on the driver as well), max load shouldn't be an issue. Actually, efficiency seems to be the highest between 80% and 100% load, at least for 230V input.