WestDenverPioneer
Well-Known Member
22.5A@240V
Sorry I was thinking just for the LED lights. 22amps is for the entire system, right?
22.5A@240V
Sorry I was thinking just for the LED lights. 22amps is for the entire system, right?
the correct term for this application is 'contactor' (or more specifically a 'lighting contactor'). but yeah its a big ass relayI doubt you're pulling enough amps to trip anything but a relay might be what you're looking for.
the correct term for this application is 'contactor' (or more specifically a 'lighting contactor'). but yeah its a big ass relay
if youre concerned about current run your drivers at 240V and cut current in half. you'll gain 2% in driver efficiency and can run smaller wire size for the circuit as well
they do have serious inrush current and they recommend right on the datasheet only 2 or 3 drivers per 16A 230V circuit breaker (ive never actually seen a 16A circuit breaker maybe thats some weird lighting standard). id have to assume based on the normal current draw that you can put many more than 2 on a circuit
search 'delay contactor' on ebay youll find everything from new chinese solid state to old school used allen bradley/GE/square D etc.
ill bet theres a delay type dealio that can stagger start those drivers. if not break em down to two timers a minute apart
your breaker can handle all the power you need for running. my opinion is when they say not more than 2 or 3 on a breaker they mean starting at one time (or that 16A should be reserved for starting.Contactor isn't the issue, it's the breaker.
Since they use capacitors on AC units with compressors for this kind of situation, might it also work for this application?
but yeah its a big ass relay
your breaker can handle all the power you need for running. my opinion is when they say not more than 2 or 3 on a breaker they mean starting at one time (or that 16A should be reserved for starting.
sooo.. your 27 x 200W drivers for 5400W
each driver is 0.9A
lets 'reserve' 16A for two or 3 drivers to start at a time
lets stick to 30A circuits so we dont need to run anything over commonly available #10 wire
per 30A type C breaker:
16A of 'headroom' for starting 3 drivers at a time
14A of usable running power
15 drivers = 13.5A running
at this point you should be able to 'start' 3 more drivers
id start with that and push it. your overall load is 22.5A@240V. 1 30A circuit might do it
can you start 4 at a time without tripping? you'd start 4 drivers at T0 and then need 6 time delays to start the next 23
can you start 5? you'd start 5 drivers at T0 and then need 5 time delays to start the next 22
can you start 6? you'd start 6 drivers at T0 and then need 4 time delays to start the next 21
etc.
heres your $8 contactor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-L...631216?hash=item234abb19f0:g:u1MAAOSwuTxV7ptQ
which uses the bolt-on delay timer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-LA2-DT2...905068?hash=item27f4730c6c:g:edoAAOSwofxUl4IY
buy 4 of each of those for $64 and if it doesnt work, drop $32 on 2 more
Dude, it would be helpful if we stick to what I'm using. So, let's stick to the 50A service.
Each module pulls 225W, there are 24 of them.
I'm having a lot of trouble with the idea that I need 16A to turn three on. I kick two on a 15A @ 120V all the time. I need someone with direct experience because this is getting a little far fetched.
heres your $8 contactor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-L...631216?hash=item234abb19f0:g:u1MAAOSwuTxV7ptQ
which uses the bolt-on delay timer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-LA2-DT2...905068?hash=item27f4730c6c:g:edoAAOSwofxUl4IY
buy 4 of each of those for $64 and if it doesnt work, drop $32 on 2 more
ideally those mount on a din rail in a hoffman enclosure