Bridgelux EB Gen 1 strips

[Randomblame]

If I have a HLG-185H-48 and 6 x 24v strips:
Can I make 3 groups of 2 lights each wired in serie, and then wire the groups in parallel? Or does it work only with constant current driver?

Yes, you can. Would be ~45-46v for each series string and each strip gets ~1,3amps.
But 2s3p would not work with HLG-185 cc driver, only with siutable voltage and 46v would be to low(start blinking).
Even the biggest HLG-185 with 1400mA supplies 71-143v and needs all 6 strips wired in series.

 

[Vehlor]

Yes, you can. Would be ~45-46v for each series string and each strip gets ~1,3amps.
But 2s3p would not work with HLG-185 cc driver, only with siutable voltage and 46v would be to low(start blinking).
Even the biggest HLG-185 with 1400mA supplies 71-143v and needs all 6 strips wired in series.

Thanks. That is not exactly my set up, I just wanted make sure that I understand how this serie/parallel combination work. I read too much about thermal runaway and got scared but after understanding how it really works it is actually very simple. I think CV +CC drivers are great, they are safer and versatile. People would spend less money if they really understood how these drivers work. You can actually use any driver with voltages from 20v to 54v with this gen1 strips if you know what you are doing.

 

[Rp1972]

So after a crazy week I finally can sit down and finish this build. However I ran into another hiccup when I looked at the driver more closely. It appears Amazon sent the wrong one. I ordered the the a version and they sent this one from. Taiwan or something. My intention was to run 10 strips with this driver and turn it down for veg, but with out any way to lower the output I am afraid it is to much. I would appreciate and advice anyone here can give on how many strips I can run on this driver and the best way to wire them. I also have an Hlg 185H c1400A driver if that helps my situation.

 

[1212ham]

Return the driver and get what you ordered? Strips need to be wired parallel for that driver.

Nominal current for the 2ft strips is 700ma, 1400ma is max. The 13.34 amps from your driver will be divided among the 10 strips, so that's 1334ma per strip.
For a 30" x 30" that's around 50 watts sq/ft, way to much for veg.

The 185H-C1400A doesn't have enough voltage to run 10 strips in series. They could be wired series/parallel, the current per strip would 700m and could be dimmed 50%.

 

[Rp1972]

Return the driver and get what you ordered? Strips need to be wired parallel for that driver.

Nominal current for the 2ft strips is 700ma, 1400ma is max. The 13.34 amps from your driver will be divided among the 10 strips, so that's 1334ma per strip.
For a 30" x 30" that's around 50 watts sq/ft, way to much for veg.

The 185H-C1400A doesn't have enough voltage to run 10 strips in series. They could be wired series/parallel, the current per strip would 700m and could be dimmed 50%.

Is this the proper driver? HLG-320H-C1050. I should also point out that I am now only using 8 strips.

 

[BuddyColas]

Is this the proper driver? HLG-320H-C1050. I should also point out that I am now only using 8 strips.

Did you wire up those strips yet? And do you have possession of the HLG-320H-C1050? And is your strip array about 20"x22"?

 

[Rp1972]

Did you wire up those strips yet? And do you have possession of the HLG-320H-C1050? And is your strip array about 20"x22"?

I haven't wired them up yet and I have to return this driver and exchange it for tbe proper one. That array is 24 x 22 inches good guess@buddycolas

 

[1212ham]

Is this the proper driver? HLG-320H-C1050. I should also point out that I am now only using 8 strips.

That will work but you may want to get the A or B version for dimming. It's not necessarily a matter of the proper or correct driver, there are many suitable options.
I'm running 18 x 1ft and 4 x 2ft strips in series/parallel on my HLG 240H-42B.

 

[BuddyColas]

I haven't wired them up yet and I have to return this driver and exchange it for tbe proper one. That array is 24 x 22 inches good guess@buddycolas

BTW that driver would work. I am using the exact same driver with 14 of the same strips (2 of the strips are in parallel). For 292 volts and 840 ma out of the driver. I am not minimizing the dangers of high voltage, but just don't screw with your lights when the power is on. Not that hard. The leds will let you know when the power is on!

If you've plugged in a clothes dryer in North America, you have been very close to 240 volts AC and lived to tell about it.

 

[nfhiggs]

BTW that driver would work. I am using the exact same driver with 14 of the same strips (2 of the strips are in parallel). For 292 volts and 840 ma out of the driver. I am not minimizing the dangers of high voltage, but just don't screw with your lights when the power is on. Not that hard. The leds will let you know when the power is on!

If you've plugged in a clothes dryer in North America, you have been very close to 240 volts AC and lived to tell about it.

The driver in the picture is a 24V CV driver. It will work with 24V strips (in parallel), but 22V or 19V strips might be a problem, as they only go down to about 22V (not sure what strips Rp1972 actually has). There should be a little rubber cap that will pop off and there is a voltage adjustment underneath it.

 

[BuddyColas]

The driver in the picture is a 24V CV driver. It will work with 24V strips (in parallel), but 22V or 19V strips might be a problem, as they only go down to about 22V (not sure what strips Rp1972 actually has). There should be a little rubber cap that will pop off and there is a voltage adjustment underneath it.

OK. I was referring to the one mentioned in post #45, HLG-320H-C1050. That's the one I use and like. There is a lot to like using constant current. But there is a HUGE contingent of parallel-only builders out there. And they work fine too!

 

[nfhiggs]

OK. I was referring to the one mentioned in post #45, HLG-320H-C1050. That's the one I use and like. There is a lot to like using constant current. But there is a HUGE contingent of parallel-only builders out there. And they work fine too!

Yeah, I realized which one you were referring to after I reread to other messages.