Matching Drivers and COBs

[Humanrob]

extra driver capacity? thats when you start experimenting with monos and fun stuff

I've got so much going on right now, it won't happen right away. But I will keep that in mind! This winter I should have some time to play around with some new ideas and lights. Thanks again bro, in a few sentences you substantially increased my very limited understanding of how these things work.

 

[ttystikk]

I've got so much going on right now, it won't happen right away. But I will keep that in mind! This winter I should have some time to play around with some new ideas and lights. Thanks again bro, in a few sentences you substantially increased my very limited understanding of how these things work.

Mine, too.

 

[Airwalker16]

you have to hit minimum voltage (50%) to operate that driver correctly. 71V in this case which your two 3070s barely hit and 3590s would not

datasheet has efficiency flat down to 50% load so no loss there

cobs dont care, 1400 ma is 1400 ma they dont care if they have neighbors. at that lower load your driver will now last forever and a day (as opposed to forever). the only thing you are 'wasting' is driver capacity but its there waiting for when you need it again

Is this because the 3590's have a slightly less Vf at lower currents?

 

[CobKits]

yes. lower Vf at all currents vs 3070 in fact.

at 1400 ma 3590s are 34.84V so 69.7 V for two of them. it might light up, the meanwells are pretty versatile and generally work outside of stated specs

 

[CobKits]

while were talking drivers, why is everyone so fond of the meanwell HLG series? the ELG series is substantially cheaper, similar efficiency, and all the same features. 5 year vs 7 year warranty but TBH is 100K hour rated at 70C case temp...

 

[sixstring2112]

while were talking drivers, why is everyone so fond of the meanwell HLG series? the ELG series is substantially cheaper, similar efficiency, and all the same features. 5 year vs 7 year warranty but TBH is 100K hour rated at 70C case temp...

is it because one uses a better case maybe?i seen some of them are plastic,maybe its for the ip rating? most of us do have alot of water sitting about in the grow.

 

[CobKits]

def a different looking case, but is in fact metal and ip67 rated

 

[Humanrob]

while were talking drivers, why is everyone so fond of the meanwell HLG series? the ELG series is substantially cheaper, similar efficiency, and all the same features. 5 year vs 7 year warranty but TBH is 100K hour rated at 70C case temp...

I can only speak for myself: knowing nothing and following in the footsteps of wiser more experienced builders, I did what they did. I believe in his awesome chart, Supra gives a breakdown of maximum cobs-per-driver using HLG as the example drivers. That's what I used to make my decisions.

 

[PhotonFUD]

Any advantage to not running a driver at max capacity? Less heat?

I know for new drivers that the preference would be for best quality, but how about re-use of drivers from older units? As you say, the chips don't care who their neighbors are and I don't think they care much for their power provider either.

 

[BST]

What page is new chart for meanwell drivers?

 

[BST]

thanks paralleled i guess will be fine as long as everything stays ok..cree and mean well are pretty solid[rationalizing]

next time will be different

Where is there a new chart?

 

[wietefras]

while were talking drivers, why is everyone so fond of the meanwell HLG series? the ELG series is substantially cheaper, similar efficiency, and all the same features. 5 year vs 7 year warranty but TBH is 100K hour rated at 70C case temp...

It's probably because the ELG drivers are a recent addition for Mean Well and most people just copy what was used by SupraSPL. Indeed I'd rather have had ELG drivers because these are Dim-to-off. No need for relays to deal with inrush.

 

[CobKits]

the new chart is called basic division

 

[ttystikk]

while were talking drivers, why is everyone so fond of the meanwell HLG series? the ELG series is substantially cheaper, similar efficiency, and all the same features. 5 year vs 7 year warranty but TBH is 100K hour rated at 70C case temp...

Water cooled COB LED was my rationale.

 

[Shugglet]

Water cooled COB LED was my rationale.

Both have IP67 ratings. Its just because the ELG is brand new and harder to source.

HLGs also have the slightest edge in regards to voltage range, maximum power output, and efficiency. My source doesnt carry the ELG -C series so I cant comment on pricing differences. Seems like it could be the biggest determining factor tbh.

Edit: From the ELG spec sheet it would seem it only operates at 75% when input voltage is below 180v. In other words, it need a 220v supply. So much for it being a worthy alternative to the HLG...

 

[sixstring2112]

It's probably because the ELG drivers are a recent addition for Mean Well and most people just copy what was used by SupraSPL. Indeed I'd rather have had ELG drivers because these are Dim-to-off. No need for relays to deal with inrush.

So does that mean it works kinda the same when its turned on,like does it power up slowly from dim to full?

 

[wietefras]

@sixstring2112 , It means you can leave it in standby mode at 0% and then ramp it up to 100% without the inrush caused by charging the capacitors inside the driver. No need for relays.

Other than this, dimming has no impact on inrush. It's caused by the capacitors being charged when the driver is powered up. You get the same inrush if the driver is dimmed at 0%

Their newer drivers all tend to have this new and improved dimming module. Including the HLG-320-C (not the 240 and older unfortunately)

 

[CobKits]

Edit: From the ELG spec sheet it would seem it only operates at 75% when input voltage is below 180v. In other words, it need a 220v supply. So much for it being a worthy alternative to the HLG...

good eye! thats a pretty serious "footnote"



also unlike hlg, there is SUBSTANTIAL difference in 115 vs 230v efficiency:

 

[wietefras]

Is that really so different from the HLG-185H-C? Above 70% it's between 91 and 92% vs 93% for the HLG-185.

O nthe other hand the ELG-C isn't even available in a lower voltage version for several of the wattages.

 

[Shugglet]

Is that really so different from the HLG-185H-C? Above 70% it's between 91 and 92% vs 93% for the HLG-185.

O nthe other hand the ELG-C isn't even available in a lower voltage version for several of the wattages.

If you have a 220v hookup it may be a decent budget choice.