Driver selection for a diy qb? math?

K

kdt15

Active Member
Hi, just trying to figure out how to calculate how many drivers i would need to supply my lights. going to be using samsung f-series led strips connected in series. constant current driver, but lost after this

here's the lights im going to be using: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?dc=67179

probably will be getting 40 strips of the 46v ones if that clarifies it.

any suggestions on driver brands or specific ones?

~~~

I was informed that those F series drivers are 1.12A, and either 23V or 46V.
HLG-480H-C1400A from Mean Well seems like the most popular driver. these are 1.4A (what problems might this cause?) and 171-343v, meaning i can do 4-7 strips per driver. does this sound right? these drivers are awfully expensive.

for 40 strips, thats 6 drivers minimum to set up.

each strip outputs ~50w. thats 2000w, lights will run ~1100$ and drivers will run 850$. does this sound like im getting screwed? havent even factored in aluminum heat sinks yet
 
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CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
not much math

if driver voltage is more than you need and current is adequate its 5th grade math at best

boards/cobs in series = add voltage
boards/cobs in parallel = add current
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
CobKits said:
not much math

if driver voltage is more than you need and current is adequate its 5th grade math at best

boards/cobs in series = add voltage
boards/cobs in parallel = add current
Click to expand...
thanks, i updated OP with the following below, thoughts?

I was informed that those F series drivers are 1.12A, and either 23V or 46V.
HLG-480H-C1400A from Mean Well seems like the most popular driver. these are 1.4A (what problems might this cause?) and 171-343v, meaning i can do 4-7 strips per driver. does this sound right? these drivers are awfully expensive.

for 40 strips, thats 6 drivers minimum to set up.

each strip outputs ~50w. thats 2000w, lights will run ~1100$ and drivers will run 850$. does this sound like im getting screwed? havent even factored in aluminum heat sinks yet
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
nfhiggs said:
They don't actually need sinks. They will run just fine in free air with just normal air circulation, as long as you are running them at their rated current or lower.
Click to expand...
wow wtf? dont hlg lights and similar diy ones run heat sinks on those? interesting.

unfortunately the hlg driver runs at 1.4A and the strips run at 1.12A and thers not really any better choice unless i go with 1 driver per strip :(
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
CobKits said:
not much math

if driver voltage is more than you need and current is adequate its 5th grade math at best

boards/cobs in series = add voltage
boards/cobs in parallel = add current
Click to expand...
do you have any suggestions on where to buy drivers? digikey doesnt have enough and 10wk lead time x_x
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
kdt15 said:
wow wtf? dont hlg lights and similar diy ones run heat sinks on those? interesting.

unfortunately the hlg driver runs at 1.4A and the strips run at 1.12A and thers not really any better choice unless i go with 1 driver per strip :(
Click to expand...
I would use the 1050 mA driver instead of the 1400. Run them just under nominal current.
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
kdt15 said:
wow wtf? dont hlg lights and similar diy ones run heat sinks on those? interesting.

unfortunately the hlg driver runs at 1.4A and the strips run at 1.12A and thers not really any better choice unless i go with 1 driver per strip :(
Click to expand...
The HLG boards actually don't need sinks either if you run them at under 100W.
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
nfhiggs said:
I would use the 1050 mA driver instead of the 1400. Run them just under nominal current.
Click to expand...
thanks! do you know what model that is? i looked for it but didnt find it. the reason i went with the 480h-c1400a is that it goes up to 343v, so i can throw 7 of the strips in series instead of buying a ton more drivers (going to have 80+ strips, each drawing 46v each)

in that case, i prob do need a heatsink since each of the samsung strips are ~50w, right?

semi-big project :P

edit: i am referring to samsung f-series lmcsomethingsomething light strips rather than those rectangular HLG light boards. does your comment change with this info?
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
CobKits said:
theyre actually a bargain for what they do, the warranty, efficiency, durability, etc.

not sure of your numbers but hlg meanwells are about 25-30 cents per watt
Click to expand...
yes perhaps you're right. just at 130$ each and needing 12, costs just look scary :P
 
E

estooki

Member
I think your math checks out.

7 strips @ 46V in series is 322V
1.12A * 322V is 360W

It's all within the capability of the driver you selected.

If you're going with 7 strips per driver, and 6 drivers...you may as well get 42 strips.

As for temperature, you can always power them on and put a temp gun on them. If they get too hot, slap a heatsink on.
 
G

G84

Well-Known Member
kdt15 said:
yes perhaps you're right. just at 130$ each and needing 12, costs just look scary :P
Click to expand...
Hlg-480h-c1050 does not exist
But 320,240,185 etc exist.
I do not know prices in US, but in Europe the most convenient driver for you would be hlg-240h-c1050 A
You can drive 5 strip of 46v with 1 driver.Type A model has also an overboost on output current so you will easily have a max output of 1200 or over.
I would use this setup to cover a 4x2 footprint.
Based on EU prices, hlg240 has best cost/watt ratio.
HLG240=21 cent/watt
HLH320=24cent/watt
 
K

kdt15

Active Member
G84 said:
Hlg-480h-c1050 does not exist
But 320,240,185 etc exist.
I do not know prices in US, but in Europe the most convenient driver for you would be hlg-240h-c1050 A
You can drive 5 strip of 46v with 1 driver.Type A model has also an overboost on output current so you will easily have a max output of 1200 or over.
I would use this setup to cover a 4x2 footprint.
Based on EU prices, hlg240 has best cost/watt ratio.
HLG240=21 cent/watt
HLH320=24cent/watt
Click to expand...
thanks. checked those, 320s are not really in stock here much. there are a decent amount of 240 1050B, whts the difference between A and B usually?

also, can 1050b be boosted?

lastly, for my 46V 1.12A Strips, is there any benefit to the 480 I mentioned (343max V, 1400ma) aside from its higher current, which i shoudnt use anyways since its past my led strips rated current? I can do 7 strips per driver

if price is better, then 240 obviously is the winner right (5 stripes per driver and half the cost of 480)? :P

Edit: just checked with a digikey support person, they said the 240A cannot be boosted. where can i confirm that the type A model can be overboosted? Thanks
 
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K

kdt15

Active Member
estooki said:
I think your math checks out.

7 strips @ 46V in series is 322V
1.12A * 322V is 360W

It's all within the capability of the driver you selected.

If you're going with 7 strips per driver, and 6 drivers...you may as well get 42 strips.

As for temperature, you can always power them on and put a temp gun on them. If they get too hot, slap a heatsink on.
Click to expand...
the driver is 1.4A though, how do i drop it down to 1.12A? redoing your calculation above outputs 450.8W, is that within range (i presume yes since im guessing the hlg-480 refers to max 480 watts?)

probably need 12 drivers for my room now, so the heat may add up. regardless, how would i put together the strips without a heat sink? and wheres usually the best place to buy heat sinks?

edit: another member mentioned above that 240s would be superior, any thoughts? basically does the same thing, just slightly less current (1050 vs desired 1.12A) and can hold 5 strips, and half the price still
 
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G

G84

Well-Known Member
I replied your pm.
In order to avoid any problem take type B driver.At full power you will be 1050mA with no problem of overdriving your strip.But use hlg 240 c1050 for 5 strip.Is the best choice for you
 
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