Matching Drivers and COBs

bassman999

Well-Known Member
There is a graph on the Meanwell hlg datasheets that shows you how load affects efficiency.

It is important to remember that dimming to 50% does not cut load to 50%. Even @ 100mA the voltage of a 36v cob is still over 30v so the load is still ~120v combined, which is nowhere near 50% load of the 143v driver.

If you buy the hlg-120h-c1050b driver, and throw 4 cobs on it, you will be at ~136v combined out of 148v max.
[This is the setup I currently run but 4 x 77v cxa3590 on a 130h-c500b]

Edit: aggressive autocorrect fixed
I run constant V drivers so that I can add more cobs and lower current that way, and also use the dimmer to further reduce current if needed. So even with reduced cob V I can get Current as low as I want still.
 

bassman999

Well-Known Member
Actually, we are using a combo constant current and constant voltage. They cap at set voltage unless you run the A model and you can get a wider voltage range.
Yeah there s a slight variance in V from the A series.
I have an HLG-120h-24A, but leds on it dont draw more than 23V so I cant see what the Driver can in the real world really output without clamping
 

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
There is a graph on the Meanwell hlg datasheets that shows you how load affects efficiency.

It is important to remember that dimming to 50% does not cut load to 50%. Even @ 100mA the voltage of a 36v cob is still over 30v so the load is still ~120v combined, which is nowhere near 50% load of the 143v driver.

If you buy the hlg-120h-c1050b driver, and throw 4 cobs on it, you will be at ~136v combined out of 148v max.
[This is the setup I currently run but 4 x 77v cxa3590 on a 120h-c500b]

Edit: aggressive autocorrect fixed
It looks like the 1.4 a drivers I ordered may work out well. I'm using ~800w now at bloom with 8 Vero 29's. Hoping the same approx light intensity with around 650 watts. Also twice the cobs. I'm hoping for passive cooling with an air hood for heat removal. I have a 4 channel data logger to look at junction temps on a string. Good summer project.
 

Sad_plant

New Member
This chart shows how many COBs you can fit on each driver. Hopefully it will save DIYers some time or give them some ideas.

If the number of COBs is 3.93 for example, you could run 4 and you won't get the full drive current but you will get full driver efficiency. If the number is 4.1 that is a very good match, full driver efficiency and cost efficiency. (Driver efficiency is highest when the voltage load on the DC side is at or near the maximum)

The high voltage drivers work with the COBs wired in series. The high current drivers (HLG-320H and 600H) work with the COBs wired in parallel and those are good options if you want to run multiple COBs at high current. They are all dimmable. Prices are based on Onlinecomponents.com because they have $6.95 flat shipping cost. If you are buying 10 or more Sager might be the best bet.

View attachment 3500031
i just got this in the mail 3 hours ago, i didn't see her under your driver list. oh yeah there is an Io ADJ. function supposedly to adjust the flow of electricity to the ballast (NOT a Dimmer)
 

Attachments

The Io ADJ pot reduces driver's output current. Generally that's what we call a dimmer. BTW the driver is in @SupraSPL 's list.
oh sweet, thanks bro . . . missed it. must've had cauliflower eyes last night. so i can run 5 x B3950's !rad!
1d577486-9048-4774-9509-6e77c6da5b97.jpg
popped off the rubber cap @ first i thought that could change the current i pull from the wall, but thats good to know it can dim the cobs if i need it.

awesome thread!
 

nogod_

Well-Known Member
That driver is not dimmable, not pf corrected, and ~5% less efficient than the more expensive meanwell lines. It's also only suitable for 1 cob. If you are running 4 cobs in series it's simpler to use 1 x hlg-185h-c1400 than it is to use 4 x lpc-60-1400. The price is comparable, and the power savings/reliability make it worth the upgrade (at least to this builder).

I own both drivers and used the lpc to build my very first CoB light on an arctic 64. It's now in my curio next to an 1859 copy of the Freemasons handbook and a pile of petrified Dinosour dung. :wink:



Hi, just adding my question here aswell.

Is there a reason no one is mentioning the cheap LPC-60-1400 driver for the new CREE CXB3590 3500k 36v ?
I run 2 x CXA3070 on a LPC-60-1400 each currently which works perfectly, but no one ever mentions them in regards to the new CXB3590.
Neither are they visible in this sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nKfc12OCuDu7puJCa_6maefyCVm3gS5sBmzAXOlh06w/edit#gid=1157681753 regarding matching drivers.
 

Ronin-indi

Well-Known Member
hi everybody!
so I think im gonna order some shtuff for a 4x4' passive... could someone double check my list? Thanks you guys rock!
mouser-
cxb3070 x 12 = 509.04
mwhlg240h-c1050 x 2 =153.28
shipping = 15.00
subtotal=667.32
heatsinkusa-
4.9x42 x 3 = 224.28
shipping/handling = 52.81
subtotal = 277.09
pacificlightconcepts-
bjb 3070 holder x 12 = 30.00
shipping = 12.65
subtotal = 42.65
home depot-
wire, conectors, misc. = 100.00

total = 1097.06
 

nogod_

Well-Known Member
Cutter or kingbrite might have cheaper prices on cobs(or PLC after Jan 10 @Greengenes707)
But might be cheaper in long run to bundle shipping on mouser.

I like Fry's way better for wire/connectors/etc but you might not have one by you.

hi everybody!
so I think im gonna order some shtuff for a 4x4' passive... could someone double check my list? Thanks you guys rock!
mouser-
cxb3070 x 12 = 509.04
mwhlg240h-c1050 x 2 =153.28
shipping = 15.00
subtotal=667.32
heatsinkusa-
4.9x42 x 3 = 224.28
shipping/handling = 52.81
subtotal = 277.09
pacificlightconcepts-
bjb 3070 holder x 12 = 30.00
shipping = 12.65
subtotal = 42.65
home depot-
wire, conectors, misc. = 100.00

total = 1097.06
 

welight

Well-Known Member
hi everybody!
so I think im gonna order some shtuff for a 4x4' passive... could someone double check my list? Thanks you guys rock!
mouser-
cxb3070 x 12 = 509.04
mwhlg240h-c1050 x 2 =153.28
shipping = 15.00
subtotal=667.32
heatsinkusa-
4.9x42 x 3 = 224.28
shipping/handling = 52.81
subtotal = 277.09
pacificlightconcepts-
bjb 3070 holder x 12 = 30.00
shipping = 12.65
subtotal = 42.65
home depot-
wire, conectors, misc. = 100.00

total = 1097.06
I can save you USD137.04 on the 12 COBS. Our price is USD31, Mouser is 509.04/12=USD42.42
Cheers
Mark
 

Ronin-indi

Well-Known Member
thanks, might be able to step up to 3590s. 55.74usd x12 with free shipping is about the same at 665 am I right?... hmmm step up or save money...
 
hi everybody!
so I think im gonna order some shtuff for a 4x4' passive... could someone double check my list? Thanks you guys rock!
mouser-
cxb3070 x 12 = 509.04
mwhlg240h-c1050 x 2 =153.28
shipping = 15.00
subtotal=667.32
heatsinkusa-
4.9x42 x 3 = 224.28
shipping/handling = 52.81
subtotal = 277.09
pacificlightconcepts-
bjb 3070 holder x 12 = 30.00
shipping = 12.65
subtotal = 42.65
home depot-
wire, conectors, misc. = 100.00

total = 1097.06
get cxb3950's instead, 3500k @ 80 cri (please someone correct me if i'm wrong:eyesmoke:)
 
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