So ive built 2 lights, each consists of 7 f series 2ft strips. Each set of 7 is wired in parallel to a meanwell 185 24a. In each light the strip closest to the driver gets very warm, the second gets pretty warm, not quite as warm as the first. The remaining 5 strips remain cool to the touch after 12 hours. Anything i can do about this, other than buying cc drivers and wiring in series? Im 90% sure im experiencing thermal runaway, and the web mentions current limiting resistors but im still researching this bit. Might end up switching drivers and rewiring.
How to Combat Thermal Runaway
- Thread starter Grower899
- Start date
The positive of each strip is connected, as well as the negatives. A short run of wire from each connector to the next. I tried to make them as close as possible in length. Stranded copper wire 18ga. Ordered solid but they sent stranded. Anything im missing?
Yes, exactly right strip 1 is connected to the driver and each subsequent strip is connected to the previous strip.We need a better description, diagram or picture. I'm 90% sure it's voltage drop rather than thermal runaway.
Does the driver connect to strip #1, with #1 connected to #2 and #2 connected to #3 and so on?
I like that and wish i woulda grabbed some. Ive seen them but totally forgot about them. Gonna grab a couple pair locally today if i can if not ill grab some online. And go 14ga from terminal to driver then 18fa from terminal to each strip yeah?
Last edited:
Schalalala
Active Member
Probably the easiest fix is to mount the driver somewhere else in order to get all strips to the same temperature. Besides that, placing a fan on the problematic spot could also work. Last but not least, you could use current resistors. There are loads of good infos about this topic, google will help you to find the proper resistor.
Excellent, that will fix your problem. With 7 strips end to end the voltage has dropped by the end of the line. If you can't find a terminal strip, a couple wire nuts will work just fine. If you want it going asap, just twist the wires together and tape.
Wago's are popular, but the largest is for only five wires. You would use 1 connecting to 2 more to have enough ports for 7 strips, so you'd need 3 for negative and 3 for positive.
Last edited:
Awesome thats good to hear. I may end up just going the wire nut route as i have plenty of those. Thanks for the info!
Actually 1 more question. 7 strips have 14 pos and 14 neg terminals. 2 per strip. Is it necessary to use both sets on each strip, or 1 positive and 1 negative wire from each strip will work?
Getgrowingson
Well-Known Member
One in each. Their the same point electrically
Thanks sir. I assumed so, car audio amps work the same way just needed to verify.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
H
Happy to help out, Bro.
CobKits
Well-Known Member
ideal makes some 8-hole push-ins but they are not reusable like wagos. model 90 here
http://www.idealindustries.ca/products/wire_termination/push-in/in-sure.php
i have some around if you need a few, i dont think you can buy them in less than 100
boyd crowder
Active Member
@nfhiggs i been looking to find these strips but the best i can locate are like 30$ for a pair for 8ups
i can get 2 boxes of wagos for that. my wagos work fine , i just want a cleaner setup - @CobKits I dont see how those terminal strips on the ideal pages are interconnected - is that something ill manually have to do to use them?
i can get 2 boxes of wagos for that. my wagos work fine , i just want a cleaner setup - @CobKits I dont see how those terminal strips on the ideal pages are interconnected - is that something ill manually have to do to use them?
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
I found them at Fry's Electronics. I think they were 6-7 buck apiece. You have to add the little shunts between each contact pair to configure them as a bus. You could also use power distribution blocks that are commonly used in car audio systems.
This is like the ones I have
Here is a five pack with jumper strips included for $12
CobKits
Well-Known Member
theyre like wirenuts/wagos, all the ports are interconnected