Question About LED Drivers and Fire Safety

[ChrispyCritter]

I asked a similar question a while back and based on suggestions I mounted my drivers on a 2x4 but elevated them off of the wood about a 1 /4"with washers. Overkill? Maybe but I don't know. My drivers get really hot. I have a fan blowing on mine. Get the driver off of the carpet asap. Good luck!

 

[ilovereggae]

here's what I came up with. bakers cooling rack sheets like for when u make cookies and let them cool off... got them from Big lots for a buck or 2 each. I like them bc they allow for lots of airflow if you put the driver on a shelf or cabinet or something. they usually have little feet built into them too so they are elevated an inch or so off the surface. also easy to screw into the wall if you want to hang them

I use them im my drying cab too. I have wires run across the top and these sit on the wires like a channel. then I hang plants with stem poking thru the grid and clip in place w some clothespins.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

here's what I came up with. bakers cooling rack sheets like for when u make cookies and let them cool off... got them from Big lots for a buck or 2 each.

See, now this makes more sense to me. I don't know much about plywood. But, I can't help but think it would be pretty combustible. Why would I want to put something hot on wood? That metal rack is killer though and I am seriously considering it. Space might be an issue though, unless I mount it on the top of my tent like HydroKid239 suggested.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

Get the driver off of the carpet asap.

I got 'em on clay pots man. Jerry-rigged it real horror-show.

 

[1212ham]

A driver should never get even close to hot enough to start anything on fire. Your drivers will run cooler and last longer if they aren't all packed a small area with no air circulation. The exhaust from a tent is a good way to cool drivers. Put drivers in the tent if you need the heat, 27-29C is best with LED.

 

[Doug Dawson]

See, now this makes more sense to me. I don't know much about plywood. But, I can't help but think it would be pretty combustible. Why would I want to put something hot on wood? That metal rack is killer though and I am seriously considering it. Space might be an issue though, unless I mount it on the top of my tent like HydroKid239 suggested.

Let me help you with that. "The thermal degradation and ignition point of wood and plywood may be generalized by the following: 230° to 302° F (110° C to 150° C): The wood will char over time with the formation of charcoal. If the heat is not dissipated there is some possibility of spontaneous combustion." If your driver reaches over 100deg C than it would meld down the wiring long before it caught the plywood on fire. I wouldn't have suggested it if it were dangerous.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

Let me help you with that. "The thermal degradation and ignition point of wood and plywood may be generalized by the following: 230° to 302° F (110° C to 150° C): The wood will char over time with the formation of charcoal. If the heat is not dissipated there is some possibility of spontaneous combustion." If your driver reaches over 100deg C than it would meld down the wiring long before it caught the plywood on fire. I wouldn't have suggested it if it were dangerous.

Thank you for taking the time to break that down for me. I'll keep that in mind for the future. Looking back, I realize it was pretty lazy of me not to do my due diligence and Google the thing. So, I apologize. Then again, I never would have gotten that level of information.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

The exhaust from a tent is a good way to cool drivers.

I can manage to find the space, that seems like a real winner. Thanks for the cool idea!

 

[Doug Dawson]

Thank you for taking the time to break that down for me. I'll keep that in mind for the future. Looking back, I realize it was pretty lazy of me not to do my due diligence and Google the thing. So, I apologize. Then again, I never would have gotten that level of information.

No worries bud, no need to apologize. Your concerns were totally valid. I was just trying to set your mind at ease. Glad you are going to sort your stuff out so its safe. Happy growing

 

[sallygram]

Let me help you with that. "The thermal degradation and ignition point of wood and plywood may be generalized by the following: 230° to 302° F (110° C to 150° C): The wood will char over time with the formation of charcoal. If the heat is not dissipated there is some possibility of spontaneous combustion." If your driver reaches over 100deg C than it would meld down the wiring long before it caught the plywood on fire. I wouldn't have suggested it if it were dangerous.

Since I have mine mounted on plywood I was getting a little weary over thinking it reading this thread until I saw your post. Thanks