Bridgelux EB Series Build

[eyderbuddy]

So EB strips Gen 2 are out and they're running at 19V.., instead of the usual 21-24V.
What driver recommendation would you guys give if i'm planning on running 20 2ft' strips for 300 watts?
What about connecting them in series or parallel?

 

[Serva]

Series circuit is easier, and less work. Working fine. If I understand it correct, the advantage in doing a parallel circuit is safety. A 300V are dangerous, 30V are not. And you can take full use of the driver, when choosing cv.

Series/parallel:
One driver: HLG-320H-42 (should be enough)
Two driver: HLG-150H-42

Parallel:
HLG-320H-24 (20V may not work)
HLG-150H-24

Series:
20 strips @ 700ma = 280W (check HLG-320H-C700/1400, HLG-185H-C700/1400)
20 strips @ 875ma = 344W (check HLG-320H-C1750)

 

[StreetPreacher]

And if you're just using tape to mount the strips, use a lot!

I thought a few lengths of black electrical tape on each end would be enough to secure them, but I found 1 strip had fallen down and toasted a few clones yesterday . Luckily these things generate almost no heat, so the plants didn't even burn, they just got a bit crispy lol

 

[BuddyColas]

And if you're just using tape to mount the strips, use a lot!

I thought a few lengths of black electrical tape on each end would be enough to secure them, but I found 1 strip had fallen down and toasted a few clones yesterday . Luckily these things generate almost no heat, so the plants didn't even burn, they just got a bit crispy lol

Kapton tape works great. Even clear packing tape. Black electrical tape...weak sauce.

 

[StreetPreacher]

Kapton tape works great. Even clear packing tape. Black electrical tape...weak sauce.

Indeed. lol

The funny bit is that I used electrical tape because I was worried the packing wouldn't be able to handle the heat... I'll pick up some Kapton tape, and maybe toss a few screws in them all too

 

[caretak3r]

V22s can be less than half the price of those for maybe 2% less performance. The ones I want to use are 181lm/W at low current, but you can buy two for the money and outperform one of the better ones.

V22's dont perform as good as the spec sheet indicates they do at low currents... @CobKits did some tests awhile back to check them out.

 

[StreetPreacher]

I also just tested the power draw using a kill a watt meter, and it looks like the 4 drivers powering 12x2' strips are using ~300w and I believe 2.8amps?

Which I guess is in the ballpark?

Am I correct that the 2.8 amp reading is the total draw of the 4 drivers? And that 2.8amps / 4 drivers = 700ma being used by each of the series circuits?

Now I'm just upset that I opted for the partial refund on the crappy chinese lights instead of allowing them to keep sending me replacements. The LED boards were garbage and went bad within hours of powering them on, but the drivers seem to be useful, as long as they last...

 

[ANC]

Using those COBs without galvanic isolation is asking to get electrocuted.

 

[nfhiggs]

Indeed. lol

The funny bit is that I used electrical tape because I was worried the packing wouldn't be able to handle the heat... I'll pick up some Kapton tape, and maybe toss a few screws in them all too

RTV works great. Just don't use the fast cure stuff.

 

[nfhiggs]

I also just tested the power draw using a kill a watt meter, and it looks like the 4 drivers powering 12x2' strips are using ~300w and I believe 2.8amps?

Which I guess is in the ballpark?

Am I correct that the 2.8 amp reading is the total draw of the 4 drivers? And that 2.8amps / 4 drivers = 700ma being used by each of the series circuits?

Now I'm just upset that I opted for the partial refund on the crappy chinese lights instead of allowing them to keep sending me replacements. The LED boards were garbage and went bad within hours of powering them on, but the drivers seem to be useful, as long as they last...

The Kill a Watt only gives you numbers on the AC side. DC side is not going to be the same.

 

[BuddyColas]

Using those COBs without galvanic isolation is asking to get electrocuted.

OK. Any commercial LED light vendors using galvanic isolation? Are you using it on your DIY fixture?

 

[ANC]

If you use a Meanwell driver, it separates the mains from the DC side of the circuit.
As I explained before this can be done digitally or through 1:1 transformers if space and efficiency is not a problem.

 

[BuddyColas]

If you use a Meanwell driver, it separates the mains from the DC side of the circuit.
As I explained before this can be done digitally or through 1:1 transformers if space and efficiency is not a problem.

Great. So virtually all the major commercial vendors and the great majority of DIYers use Meanwell. That is the only driver I use. Thanks.

 

[nfhiggs]

If you use a Meanwell driver, it separates the mains from the DC side of the circuit.
As I explained before this can be done digitally or through 1:1 transformers if space and efficiency is not a problem.

Galvanic isolation has nothing to do with safety. Its used to reduce or eliminate stray ground currents between circuits which are a major source of electrical noise. Also known as "floating ground" circuits, most power supplies have floating output grounds to reduce 60 cycle hum on the circuits they may be powering.

 

[ANC]

Galvanic isolation is used where two or more electric circuits must communicate, but their grounds may be at different potentials. It is an effective method of breaking ground loops by preventing unwanted current from flowing between two units sharing a ground conductor. Galvanic isolation is also used for safety, preventing accidental current from reaching ground through a person's body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_isolation​

 

[nfhiggs]

Galvanic isolation is used where two or more electric circuits must communicate, but their grounds may be at different potentials. It is an effective method of breaking ground loops by preventing unwanted current from flowing between two units sharing a ground conductor. Galvanic isolation is also used for safety, preventing accidental current from reaching ground through a person's body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_isolation​

Wouldn't be the first time wiki was wrong.

 

[Randomblame]

Maybe one should first explain what Galvanic Isolation is and how it works before he explains for what it is used..!?
Most of us, incl. me, like it simple...

 

[nfhiggs]

Maybe one should first explain what Galvanic Isolation is and how it works before he explains for what it is used..!?
Most of us, incl. me, like it simple...

It is simply isolating grounds from one circuit to another, allowing them to "float" at different potentials. In power supplies for example - the AC return (or ground) typically is electrically isolated from the DC output return line.

 

[chinakush]

hey guys any help would b appreciated, hooked up 6 x 1120mm bridgelux eb strips on 1 x meanwell HLG-320H-c1050a wired in SERIES, fired them up at 50% on the driver then turned up to 100% looked pretty bright I plugged it into a kill a watt meter and only got 66.9watt and 0.57 amps , shouldn't this setup be running at 300w ? I don't have the best understanding of how these work but had a licensed electrician help me hook them up.

 

[chinakush]

heres a picture of how I have them wired, bottom right goes to driver.