Matching Drivers and COBs

PicklesRus

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
Hello, the help here I guess goes without saying is phenominal. After reading posts I ordered some small cheap stuff on ebay to get my feet wet with diy. Did I match these correctly? There aren't efficiency data for them but took a guess that running them soft is a better idea.

P.s. These aren't cobs, they're integrated LEDs.

#1
2x LEDs
Input Voltage (VF): 19~23Vac
Input Current: 900mA

Driver
Output Voltage: DC36-60V
Output Current: 600mA ±5%


#2
1x led
Input Voltage (VF): 22~28Vac
Input Current: 600mA

Driver
Output: DC 24-43V 300mA
 
alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
PicklesRus said:
Hello, the help here I guess goes without saying is phenominal. After reading posts I ordered some small cheap stuff on ebay to get my feet wet with diy. Did I match these correctly? There aren't efficiency data for them but took a guess that running them soft is a better idea.

P.s. These aren't cobs, they're integrated LEDs.

#1
2x LEDs
Input Voltage (VF): 19~23Vac
Input Current: 900mA

Driver
Output Voltage: DC36-60V
Output Current: 600mA ±5%


#2
1x led
Input Voltage (VF): 22~28Vac
Input Current: 600mA

Driver
Output: DC 24-43V 300mA
Click to expand...
#̶1̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶a̶ ̶g̶o̶o̶d̶ ̶m̶a̶t̶c̶h̶.̶ #1 should work fine.
#2 is not a good match too but should work

COB means chip-on-board so I guess they are COBs after all. Run them soft is certainly a good idea. Don't expect them to be over 20% efficient, probably even less.
 
Last edited:
PicklesRus

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
alesh said:
#1 is not a good match.
#2 is not a good match too but should work

COB means chip-on-board so I guess they are COBs after all. Run them soft is certainly a good idea. Don't expect them to be over 20% efficient, probably even less.
Click to expand...
Thanks Alesh! Are they bad matches because the driver isn't being fully utilized? What is the downside of not using he whole driver? Why are they bad matches?

20%! Haha yikes!
 
alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
PicklesRus said:
Thanks Alesh! Are they bad matches because the driver isn't being fully utilized? What is the downside of not using he whole driver? Why are they bad matches?

20%! Haha yikes!
Click to expand...
I'm sorry but I misled you. #1 should work well. I didn't notice that you have two LEDs.
#2 there could be problems as driver can go down to 24Vonly and the LED could have smaller Vf than 24V @300mA.
 
PicklesRus

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
#2: updated
2x led
Input Voltage (VF): 22~28Vac
Input Current: 600mA

Driver
Output: DC 30-65V 300mA

So it should be 44-50vf on the driver which should fit now right?



For #1 I want to see how many volts the LEDs will take at the lower current maybe I can sneak one more diode in.

As for the original #2 driver I have a bunch of smd strip and a couple cob bars at home I'll see if it will drive those.
 
alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
PicklesRus said:
#2: updated
2x led
Input Voltage (VF): 22~28Vac
Input Current: 600mA

Driver
Output: DC 30-65V 300mA

So it should be 44-50vf on the driver which should fit now right?



For #1 I want to see how many volts the LEDs will take at the lower current maybe I can sneak one more diode in.

As for the original #2 driver I have a bunch of smd strip and a couple cob bars at home I'll see if it will drive those.
Click to expand...
Should work well this way. Adding small 1W/3W LEDs is also a viable option.
 
dandyrandy

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
I have a driver dimming question. I am going to run an hlg-185h-c1400b and 4 3590's. I was wondering how much efficiency suffered when dimmed 30%? Or 10%? Any help would be appreciated.
 
alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
dandyrandy said:
From what I have read in various threads let me see if I understand. On some cobs when driven soft the cobs efficiency goes up but when dimming driver efficiency drops?
Click to expand...
Yes. All LEDs are more efficient when driven softer. Drivers tend to have lower efficiency when dimmed. There's also difference between 50% load when the voltage is near to the driver's maximum Vf and current is reduced and 50% when voltage is near to driver's min Vf and full current (latter case results in lesser efficiency).

Snaddehat said:
No, you gain efficiency by dimming the driver. As current goes down, efficiency goes up :)
Click to expand...
No. Drivers are usually most efficient when fully loaded.
 
Snaddehat

Snaddehat

Well-Known Member
No. Drivers are usually most efficient when fully loaded.[/QUOTE]
Yea, sorry. I meant COB efficiency goes up when dimming driver to lower current... Thanks for clarifying Alesh :)
Do we know of any drivers that keeps their efficiency rating when dimmed? That would be nice.. hehe
 
dandyrandy

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
So at what point is the cob efficiency and driver efficiency dimmed become a problem. I'm looking at running 4 3590's at ~ 35w each with a hlg-185-c1400b driver. I think the number is correct. At work now. Will dim to get the 30 to 35 w each I want. The driver at full rated power is 94% efficient. What percentage will I lose in efficiency on the driver? Probably less than the gains on the cobs? The pwm supplies I am used to we use for motor control, standard power supplies, etc. Most are pwm switchers which are more efficient when loaded less. Not sure about these. Duty cycle less in most supplies means more efficiency. Less current less duty cycle on time of the pwm signal which forms the DC.
 
alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
dandyrandy said:
So at what point is the cob efficiency and driver efficiency dimmed become a problem. I'm looking at running 4 3590's at ~ 35w each with a hlg-185-c1400b driver. I think the number is correct. At work now. Will dim to get the 30 to 35 w each I want. The driver at full rated power is 94% efficient. What percentage will I lose in efficiency on the driver? Probably less than the gains on the cobs? The pwm supplies I am used to we use for motor control, standard power supplies, etc. Most are pwm switchers which are more efficient when loaded less. Not sure about these. Duty cycle less in most supplies means more efficiency. Less current less duty cycle on time of the pwm signal which forms the DC.
Click to expand...
4x CXB3590 + HLG-185H-C1400 is a really good combo. I guess >90% for the driver. Vf will be still pretty high. On the other hand, if you want them to run at about 35W, why not HLG-120H-C1050?
 
dandyrandy

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
I'm hoping to expand. This gives me power and efficiency to a point? Maybe the best of both worlds? I'm coming from vero29's @100w each. 8 total. Replacing with 16 3590's. Better spread, better efficiency. Thanks! Electric is .05 kwh here.
 
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