DIY with Quantum Boards

2com

Well-Known Member
There's a video on youtube where they compare it to an Apogee and its fairly accurate, certainly good enough for most users.
That's the new "hydrofarm" one right? I remember looking into it months ago. Do you have a link to the video? Can't find it.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
There was a video of the Phtobio meter but it seems to be gone. There is one comparing the older model Hydrofarm, however the new model is more accurate, thus the reason for a new model. But the old one was only off by at the max, 100ppfd. More than good enough for reading a grow environment.

here's the video for the older meter



That's the new "hydrofarm" one right? I remember looking into it months ago. Do you have a link to the video? Can't find it.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
There was a video of the Phtobio meter but it seems to be gone. There is one comparing the older model Hydrofarm, however the new model is more accurate, thus the reason for a new model. But the old one was only off by at the max, 100ppfd. More than good enough for reading a grow environment.

here's the video for the older meter

Seen that one, that's why I asked, haha. Yea, I knew the photobio was a new model/version of this hydrofarm one. I was gonna get one but held off. Still really want something but not sure what to get yet.

Thanks.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
Sometimes it seems like the best drivers are the ones that stores do not keep in regular stock, and would have to be 'special' ordered (12-15 week lead time, minimum purchase of multiple units). The HLG-480H-54AB seems like such a good option, it has every feature ticked off (I guess I'm talking about 54v-56v quantum board use, specifically).

If anyone knows somewhere that I might have missed, please let me know.
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
Sometimes it seems like the best drivers are the ones that stores do not keep in regular stock, and would have to be 'special' ordered (12-15 week lead time, minimum purchase of multiple units). The HLG-480H-54AB seems like such a good option, it has every feature ticked off (I guess I'm talking about 54v-56v quantum board use, specifically).

If anyone knows somewhere that I might have missed, please let me know.
I don't believe that you can run Diablo's with that driver, due to their slightly higher voltage, so you'd be stuck with 288's.
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Sometimes it seems like the best drivers are the ones that stores do not keep in regular stock, and would have to be 'special' ordered (12-15 week lead time, minimum purchase of multiple units). The HLG-480H-54AB seems like such a good option, it has every feature ticked off (I guess I'm talking about 54v-56v quantum board use, specifically).

If anyone knows somewhere that I might have missed, please let me know.
Also, I've seen some AB type drivers where they don't seem to have manual voltage regulation to twerk up voltage to be able to handle diablos.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
I don't believe that you can run Diablo's with that driver, due to their slightly higher voltage, so you'd be stuck with 288's.
Also, I've seen some AB type drivers where they don't seem to have manual voltage regulation to twerk up voltage to be able to handle diablos.

First page, under the yellow highlighted area, "Type: AB"; it says "Io and Vo adjustable through built in potentiometer"...

Second page, in Specification, Output, Voltage adjust range, it says "Adjustable for A/AB-Type only (via built-in potentiometer)", Range: 45.9 ~ 56.7V...

(Note it also says the same below this, for Current adjust range, signifying that the 480h-AB type has both pots.)

The 56.7V might not be enough, but I think it should be. Either way, the 480h-54AB type seems to have no draw backs compared to the B-type (or the A-type even).

I have a 320h-54ab, but it goes up to just over 58V.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
I don't believe that you can run Diablo's with that driver, due to their slightly higher voltage, so you'd be stuck with 288's.
Also, 288's, and 96's, (and 648 diablos too though, I think).
Also, I've seen some AB type drivers where they don't seem to have manual voltage regulation to twerk up voltage to be able to handle diablos.
This model, 480h-54ab, does say it has manual voltage reg., as I pointed to above - but I wonder if the 56.7 is enough, like I said.
"...twerk up voltage..." -haha

Edit: It also has dim-to-off (0%) feature too. Which most CV models don't have, and even some/most CC models - under a certain wattage don't have either (it seems a bit random actually. I've assumed before and been surprised when it ended up not having this "feature"). Also, most B and AB-type models don't have dim-to-off.

This particular driver seems to have everything.
Correct me if I'm wrong though.
 
Last edited:

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Also, 288's, and 96's, (and 648 diablos too though, I think).

This model, 480h-54ab, does say it has manual voltage reg., as I pointed to above - but I wonder if the 56.7 is enough, like I said.
"...twerk up voltage..." -haha

Edit: It also has dim-to-off (0%) feature too. Which most CV models don't have, and even some/most CC models - under a certain wattage don't have either (it seems a bit random actually. I've assumed before and been surprised when it ended up not having this "feature"). Also, most B and AB-type models don't have dim-to-off.

This particular driver seems to have everything.
Correct me if I'm wrong though.
Twerk - I can't seem to get the autocorrect turned off...
 

2com

Well-Known Member
288's and 96's yes, Diablo's no. I mean you might be able to fire them up halfway, but those boards max out around 58v.

View attachment 4895157
That list isn't an "every driver that can run qb648's" list. They don't list any -54 CV drivers (except the hlg-120h-54, for a single qb648, with a caveat of *dimming for continuous operation*), I'd think because most -54 drivers don't have the ability to turn voltage up to 56V+.

Yet, they do list the hlg-120h-54 all the same, and they don't specify a certain type, don't you find that odd? Because it's only 54V (in all but the a-type, and ab-type). The a, and ab type both have Vo and go up to 58V (like the 320h-54-a does). But again, they don't specify for the end user which type, which should matter, right.

And the 320h-54-a definitely should be on that list, right. But it's not.

Anyway, I will double check (I already single checked, hah). Because I agree that from last I looked at the datasheet for the qb648, "56V" wasn't max...-- Let me check before I say this: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1538/8585/files/DataSheet_Horticulture_Lighting_Group_QB648__REV1.0.pdf?v=1585856960
It says "Min: 51V, Typ.: 54.9V, Max: 58.8V". So, if "Typical" is basically 55V, then I'd hope and guess (I'm not expert at this) that 56.7V would be sufficient to completely and safely power the qb648 diablo.

Lemme know what you think.
Edit: Typical might not be enough to "fire it up" properly, and might be only after things have warmed up, after running for a bit, etc. I don't know, just trying to interpret it.
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
That list isn't an "every driver that can run qb648's" list. They don't list any -54 CV drivers (except the hlg-120h-54, for a single qb648, with a caveat of *dimming for continuous operation*), I'd think because most -54 drivers don't have the ability to turn voltage up to 56V+.

Yet, they do list the hlg-120h-54 all the same, and they don't specify a certain type, don't you find that odd? Because it's only 54V (in all but the a-type, and ab-type). The a, and ab type both have Vo and go up to 58V (like the 320h-54-a does). But again, they don't specify for the end user which type, which should matter, right.

And the 320h-54-a definitely should be on that list, right. But it's not.

Anyway, I will double check (I already single checked, hah). Because I agree that from last I looked at the datasheet for the qb648, "56V" wasn't max...-- Let me check before I say this: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1538/8585/files/DataSheet_Horticulture_Lighting_Group_QB648__REV1.0.pdf?v=1585856960
It says "Min: 51V, Typ.: 54.9V, Max: 58.8V". So, if "Typical" is basically 55V, then I'd hope and guess (I'm not expert at this) that 56.7V would be sufficient to completely and safely power the qb648 diablo.

Lemme know what you think.
Edit: Typical might not be enough to "fire it up" properly, and might be only after things have warmed up, after running for a bit, etc. I don't know, just trying to interpret it.
I've been looking at this since the Diablos came out, because I have 240h-54A drivers myself, and HLG specifically said that those drivers are not compatible when the Diablos were first released. If you don't believe me, just call HLG and ask.
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
I've been looking at this since the Diablos came out, because I have 240h-54A drivers myself, and HLG specifically said that those drivers are not compatible when the Diablos were first released. If you don't believe me, just call HLG and ask.
I think the issue is that even though the H-54 type drivers will hit 58v, the constant current region tops out at 54v:

Screenshot - 2021-05-05T141857.662.png
 

shimbob

Well-Known Member
I think the issue is that even though the H-54 type drivers will hit 58v, the constant current region tops out at 54v:

View attachment 4895208
I don't believe that to be the case. I believe it will continue in CC mode up to the highest voltage listed in the test report. I've seen an hlg-600h-42A put down 15.3A at 45V, something that wouldn't be possible if CC mode stopped at the listed 44V max. CC mode continues up to whatever higher voltage the Vo is set to.
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
I don't believe that to be the case. I believe it will continue in CC mode up to the highest voltage listed in the test report. I've seen an hlg-600h-42A put down 15.3A at 45V, something that wouldn't be possible if CC mode stopped at the listed 44V max. CC mode continues up to whatever higher voltage the Vo is set to.
It's certainly possible that they are being extra conservative with their specs, and the CC region is slightly outside of the listed specs, however barring that how else do you interpret the specs I posted?

Screenshot - 2021-05-05T143938.692.png
 

2com

Well-Known Member
I've been looking at this since the Diablos came out, because I have 240h-54A drivers myself, and HLG specifically said that those drivers are not compatible when the Diablos were first released. If you don't believe me, just call HLG and ask.
Oh. Ok, I hear you. I've asked'em but not about that driver. The 320h-54a they confirmed will work though.

I think the issue is that even though the H-54 type drivers will hit 58v, the constant current region tops out at 54v:

View attachment 4895208
That's a good point, I wasn't noticing or looking at that. (The 320h-54a notes the same CC region, though. Hmmm).

Thanks man, I appreciate your input.
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
Notice the chart says Vo? If Vo is 58V, then that's what it is. I don't see any contradiction.
The specs clearly state that the CC region is between 27v and 54v, and the footnote references the "Driving Methods of LED Module" chart I subsequently posted, so the implication is that the Vo in that chart at 100% is referencing 54v.
 
Top