DiY LEDs - How to Power Them

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
This $8 driver can run 5 Veros 10 at 280mA, 90% efficient. The bare version is cheaper but same performance. If you prefer a pair of lower voltage strings, the $3 13-21W dark energy can run 3 Vero 10s at 280-300mA, 90% efficient.

Connectors are a tricky one because you really want solid connections so the string will never become "flickery" because it is possible to kill an LED, even a high quality one. It is especially important on constant current strings that have high voltage potential. I use cbare rimp on slide connectors covered in heat shrink because I like to be able to bug in with my multimeters and I have thousands of connections so I want it cheap as possible (although when you consider time to make the connections maybe it is not so cheap after all). JST connectors are popular. You can use DC power jacks. Any place where you need to join wires you could use crimp on butt connectors and cover with heatshrink.

For the AC side Wago lever connectors are great.
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
This $8 driver can run 5 Veros 10 at 280mA, 90% efficient. The bare version is cheaper but same performance. If you prefer a pair of lower voltage strings, the $3 13-21W dark energy can run 3 Vero 10s at 280-300mA, 90% efficient.

Connectors are a tricky one because you really want solid connections so the string will never become "flickery" because it is possible to kill an LED, even a high quality one. It is especially important on constant current strings that have high voltage potential. I use cbare rimp on slide connectors covered in heat shrink because I like to be able to bug in with my multimeters and I have thousands of connections so I want it cheap as possible (although when you consider time to make the connections maybe it is not so cheap after all). JST connectors are popular. You can use DC power jacks. Any place where you need to join wires you could use crimp on butt connectors and cover with heatshrink.

For the AC side Wago lever connectors are great.
What do you figure the electrical limitations are for the JST hookies you linked? ( BTW, they sell the same package in Ebay for under $2, w/ free shipping)

I can't tell if your suggesting to use those for the AC side of a driver or the DC. Could they work for both, depending on the size of the driver?

:leaf::leaf::leaf:
 

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
Can you link the ebay deal? I didnt spend any time looking for the best deal on those (yet) just posted the link as an example. I was impressed by the black ones that snap together and you have to push a lever to disconnect them. They seem to make a good solid connection with no "flickerynesss" although I have not checked for voltage drop at high currents.

I suggest those as DC connectors although I have seen them used on the AC side, I would rather see Wagos used for that job.
 

DonPetro

Well-Known Member
Can you link the ebay deal? I didnt spend any time looking for the best deal on those (yet) just posted the link as an example. I was impressed by the black ones that snap together and you have to push a lever to disconnect them. They seem to make a good solid connection with no "flickerynesss" although I have not checked for voltage drop at high currents.

I suggest those as DC connectors although I have seen them used on the AC side, I would rather see Wagos used for that job.
Wagos are amazing!
 

zangtumtum

Well-Known Member
what can I aspect, to use a MEANWELL HLG-150H-42B for a single CXA3070AB ?
it run 42v, 3.6A,on cree tools the limit for CXA3070AB is 2.8A - 41.64Vf - 116.587w...
how will / will adapt to these conditions the CXA? counting on an excellent dissipation, maximum power that can reach?anyone have test the cxa on max power limit?
data:
MEANWELL-HLG-150H-42B.jpg
 
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Positivity

Well-Known Member
what can I aspect, to use a MEANWELL HLG-150H-42B for a single CXA3070AB ?
it run 42v, 3.6A,on cree tools the limit for CXA3070AB is 2.8A - 41.64Vf - 116.587w...
how will / will adapt to these conditions the CXA? counting on an excellent dissipation, maximum power that can reach?anyone have test the cxa on max power limit?
data:
View attachment 3352480
I have a 3590 at 1.75a, just about the max output. Seems to handle it fine but it produces a lot of heat. Need good ventilation or air cooled fittings at that efficiency level. Light output obviously isn't linear either...two at half power would be better in almost every circumstance. But, i do like being able to use it's full capacity. Open environment it runs fine and maintains steady temps..

The 3.6a seems well over what the 3070 is rated for....too much i think..
 

alesh

Well-Known Member
what can I aspect, to use a MEANWELL HLG-150H-42B for a single CXA3070AB ?
it run 42v, 3.6A,on cree tools the limit for CXA3070AB is 2.8A - 41.64Vf - 116.587w...
how will / will adapt to these conditions the CXA? counting on an excellent dissipation, maximum power that can reach?anyone have test the cxa on max power limit?
Can't say that I've tested it, but I'm pretty sure 3070 can handle it (3.6A). Efficiency would be poor -- probably around 20% and lifetime will be drastically lowered as well.
On the other hand, I'm not sure the driver can handle it. CXA3070 would require higher Vf than 42V@3600mA. HLG-150H-48 is a sure bet.
 

zangtumtum

Well-Known Member
I have a 3590 at 1.75a, just about the max output. Seems to handle it fine but it produces a lot of heat. Need good ventilation or air cooled fittings at that efficiency level. Light output obviously isn't linear either...two at half power would be better in almost every circumstance. But, i do like being able to use it's full capacity. Open environment it runs fine and maintains steady temps..

The 3.6a seems well over what the 3070 is rated for....too much i think..
My idea, to stay on spec cree-tools, for example to pot near max 2.8/2.9A, the ventilation and heatsink can run without problem near 150w with low temp...
but I have no idea if is possible and I do not know what happen if go over 3.0A and what is' the limit...
 

Positivity

Well-Known Member
And if you are considering running that hard, the Vero29 would greatly outperform the CXA3070. 3000K Vero29 @ 3.6A is 142.5W, 15000 lumens, 32.5% efficient. It would need a reflector/lens. The downside, it would need a lot of vertical height.
So the veros would have about 60,000 lumens compared to a 600hps 90,000 lumens....not so good..and similarly hot running
 

zangtumtum

Well-Known Member
And if you are considering running that hard, the Vero29 would greatly outperform the CXA3070. 3000K Vero29 @ 3.6A is 142.5W, 15000 lumens, 32.5% efficient. It would need a reflector/lens. The downside, it would need a lot of vertical height.
yes, i have read your work...nice work...now I know that to run hard,realy hard, is better the Vero29....
but I can not change,not this time, I've all heatsinks worked for CXA3070...
 
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SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
The HPS has so much of its output in the green/yellow/orange range that is gets a very high LER, meaning that its lumens represent a lot less radiant flux/power than a 3K LED. Then there is photosynthetic efficiency, reflector losses and lumen depreciation all in favor of the LED lumens. But you are right, at that level of efficiency LED and HPS are more closely matched in terms of PPFD/W (photons in the canopy)
 
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