DiY LEDs - How to Power Them

SupraSPL said:
PetFlora it will be interesting to see what is in there. My suspicion is that the best upgrade for those modules would be to swap in a CXA3070 if it would fit and to reuse the driver.
Click to expand...

I still haven't seen any grows with the Vanq style multichips. That said, I'm most interested in seeing someone do a mixed cob grow as I'm thinking the multichip might fill the spectrum holes fairly well. I have a vanq phosphor based 75W COB on the way (was only $33). I'll pair it with a vero18 I already have and see what happens.

I'm also exchanging emails with a chinese manufacturer of the multichip LEDs to see if the drivers they use would be suitable for the cxa3070. The rep I've got is obviously not well informed so I'm waiting for pics of the driver. I think it would make a nice pretty package to take one of their 4X fixtures and swap 2 3070s for 2 of the multichip cobs.
 
caretak3r said:
I still haven't seen any grows with the Vanq style multichips. That said, I'm most interested in seeing someone do a mixed cob grow as I'm thinking the multichip might fill the spectrum holes fairly well. I have a vanq phosphor based 75W COB on the way (was only $33). I'll pair it with a vero18 I already have and see what happens.

I'm also exchanging emails with a chinese manufacturer of the multichip LEDs to see if the drivers they use would be suitable for the cxa3070. The rep I've got is obviously not well informed so I'm waiting for pics of the driver. I think it would make a nice pretty package to take one of their 4X fixtures and swap 2 3070s for 2 of the multichip cobs.
Click to expand...

last year Connossure was running them with diy induction. he had good results. They use multi chips (low quality) .
 
Powering small COBs in series?

Bridgelux Vero 10.

Current = 350 mA
Typical V = 26.7
Typical Watt = 9.3

If you wanted to drive 4 of them in series from 1 driver, do you multiply those values x4 for the driver requirements?

I know it is probably not that simple. Most of the LED in series info out there has to do with 1w and 3w LEDs and talk about adding resistors.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
 
WDIK said:
Powering small COBs in series?

Bridgelux Vero 10.

Current = 350 mA
Typical V = 26.7
Typical Watt = 9.3

If you wanted to drive 4 of them in series from 1 driver, do you multiply those values x4 for the driver requirements?

I know it is probably not that simple. Most of the LED in series info out there has to do with 1w and 3w LEDs and talk about adding resistors.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

IIRC when LED's are wired in series, voltage stacks and current remains constant. When wired in parallel voltage is constant and current stacks. Could be wrong though since that doesn't account for things like resistance. Still learning myself.
 
WDIK said:
Powering small COBs in series?

Bridgelux Vero 10.

Current = 350 mA
Typical V = 26.7
Typical Watt = 9.3

If you wanted to drive 4 of them in series from 1 driver, do you multiply those values x4 for the driver requirements?

I know it is probably not that simple. Most of the LED in series info out there has to do with 1w and 3w LEDs and talk about adding resistors.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

in series multiply only the voltage

in Paralel only the current
 
guod said:
in series multiply only the voltage

in Paralel only the current
Click to expand...

That's good to know. I knew it was one or the other. I should have known that from previous project research. Anyone else care to verify? I know some resistors may be required also.
 
If you wired four Vero10 in series and the vF of each was 26.7 you would need a driver that could handle 107vF. The other alternative is to use four constant current drivers like these. Those little drivers can handle a surprising amount of Vf and they do it efficiently

The resistor thing works good in tiny applications (like indicator lights) because the goal is to get a tiny amount of light, so they dont mind the huge % loss in efficiency. But for our purposes efficiency is foremost in most cases.
 
SupraSPL said:
If you wired four Vero10 in series and the vF of each was 26.7 you would need a driver that could handle 107vF. The other alternative is to use four constant current drivers like these. Those little drivers can handle a surprising amount of Vf and they do it efficiently

The resistor thing works good in tiny applications (like indicator lights) because the goal is to get a tiny amount of light, so they dont mind the huge % loss in efficiency. But for our purposes efficiency is foremost in most cases.
Click to expand...

Right, that is why I was thinking parallel wiring, but I thought I read somewhere that these COBs could not be wired in parallel. This is all preliminary research.
 
The other alternative is to use four constant current drivers like these.
Those little drivers can handle a surprising amount of Vf and they do it efficiently
Click to expand...

this Driver is a perfect mismatch...
Current Draw 650±5% mA
Input Type AC 100~265V
Output Type DC 36-42V
Power Consumption 12 W

vero18.png
 
Guod unfortunately fasttech has the specs from the wrong driver on this page. I bought and tested the driver and it is supposed to be a 12X1W. There is not much to it, weighs only 40 grams but it tested very well. The actual vF range is 25-52 and current is 290mA-320mA. It tested 89% efficient, bummer that it is currently sold out.

DSC06973a.jpg
 
WDIK said:
Right, that is why I was thinking parallel wiring, but I thought I read somewhere that these COBs could not be wired in parallel. This is all preliminary research.
Click to expand...

O gotcha. Supposedly in order to run them parallel you would need to make sure the strings are balanced otherwise one string can "run away" because heat changes the vF.
 
SupraSPL said:
O gotcha. Supposedly in order to run them parallel you would need to make sure the strings are balanced otherwise one string can "run away" because heat changes the vF.
Click to expand...

Yep. I have scrapped the idea. :) Just thought it would have been nice because of fewer drivers required. Always learning.
 
Don't forget that significantly more efficient LED chips will be available in a couple years, and even better ones a few years after that. Driver technology, OTOH, is relatively mature and you'll get many years of use out of them even as you upgrade the emitters.
 
Anyone else notice a disturbing resemblance between WDIK's and Observe & Report's avatars?

Maybe it's just the glasses...
 
Finally got a chance to test the first cheapo AC DC 12V adapter ($5). It is a 1 amp unit, very small and light 70 grams. It is adjustable from 11V to 15V. It is slightly more efficient at 15V than 11V.

.1A fan - 60-65% efficient (@ 11V anf 15V respectively)
.2A fan - 60-73% efficient
.3A fan - 78-82% efficient
.75A 3 fans - 78-84% efficient
.95A 4 fans - 79% efficient

DSC06988a.jpg DSC06986a.jpg
 
WDIK said:
Anyone know the shipping times from Satisled? I had some of the Mean Well drivers in my shopping cart, but decided to wait and try the cheapos I already have coming.
Click to expand...

Which is faster? A slow boat TO China, or a slow boat FROM China? Tracking info says, "Despatched to overseas".

Amazon Prime has spoiled me forever.
 
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