Looking for a driver

Kraamm

Kraamm

Active Member
Hi fellow growers, I'm french and speaks little English, sorry.

I grow in a box 4 * 4 * 6.6 with AAW and a 400W bulb CMH Retro-white with correct results (organic of course).

My project is to make a lamp for mothers with 12 CREE XML2-U2-4C + 3 LUXEON LXM3 PD01 deep red top bin, driven at 700mA. I calculated 39.5 Volts max if I'm not mistaken (about 28 watts). Not too much power so they do not grow too fast, just keep healthy and possibly for seedlings and cuttings.

I'm looking for a driver (encapsulated if possible) with a high efficiency and dimmable.

If SUPRASPL or STARDUSTSAILOR are in the area, their feedback is appreciated very much.
 
Bueno Time

Bueno Time

Well-Known Member
Kraamm said:
Hi fellow growers, I'm french and speaks little English, sorry.

I grow in a box 4 * 4 * 6.6 with AAW and a 400W bulb CMH Retro-white with correct results (organic of course).

My project is to make a lamp for mothers with 12 CREE XML2-U2-4C + 3 LUXEON LXM3 PD01 deep red top bin, driven at 700mA. I calculated 39.5 Volts max if I'm not mistaken (about 28 watts). Not too much power so they do not grow too fast, just keep healthy and possibly for seedlings and cuttings.

I'm looking for a driver (encapsulated if possible) with a high efficiency and dimmable.

If SUPRASPL or STARDUSTSAILOR are in the area, their feedback is appreciated very much.
Click to expand...
Nice plan for a light bud. I plan to make a 12 XML2 U2 4C setup for my veg/mother/clone/seedling cab but was going to use a 900mA driver when I do.

I know of a driver you can use that I am using for my red + blue led bars in my flowering light setup. I have 18 stars on the driver so it should run your 15 LEDs fine.

According to supra he has tested many and given info about the drivers:

The "20W" driver has a max vF of about 50. Once warmed up it outputs .61A at 50vF. Minimum vF was 21 and it output .67A. At 34.5vF it put out .64A. Efficiency 88%

So you should get close to 640mA out of the driver at your 39.5 vF on your string of 15 LEDs.

Here is the link to the driver.

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10004218/1320605-85-265v-20w-high-power-constant-current-led-driver

edit: oh sorry just read you want encapsulated and dimmable which this driver is neither but it is efficient
 
epicfail

epicfail

Well-Known Member
My suggestion for a dimmable, sealed driver. The HLN-40H-48*, It has a range of 28.8-48Vf @ 840mA max current. The * can be the A or B versions, B uses and external dimmer and A has one built-in. Also there is the -42* which can do up to 42 volts @ 960mA and there is the -54* that will do 54 volts @ 750mA. All of them are around 89% efficient and you get mean well reliability.
 
Kraamm

Kraamm

Active Member
Thank you Buenotime and EpicFail for your answers, meanwell is more reassuring but the Luxeons @ 840mA will be destroyed, can we curb the intensity @ 700mA on this driver ?
 
Kraamm

Kraamm

Active Member
Hi Stardustsailor, thank you.
I like to follow your growth, very interesting, great. But why waste the light leaving only a single plant in a big box? You will be able to put one by CXA?
I think if the plant does not stretch enough, you will end up with a huge bud.
Superb design work, professional.

Guod I think you've found exactly what I was looking for, Thank you.
I think the version without DA is sufficient because I already have a 0-10V dimmer.
 
SupraSPL

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
Not encapsulated but might as well add this to the pile. I have ordered from this site and they are legit. They will install the driver into a metal case for an extra $10.

http://ac-rc.net/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_35&products_id=74

The Mean Well HLN series that EF posted up seems to be a very good value. They are power factor corrected. The A series has an internal dimmer. The B series requires DC dimming or PWN or resistance.

http://www.onlinecomponents.com/mean-well-hln40h48a.html?p=43544997&utm_content=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=&cshift_ck=4a396553-55e6-4a84-af29-286cc47c635ccsQGKSuirb

http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-well-hln-40h-power-supply.html

Can anyone post a link to a resistance based dimmer that would work with a single HLN B series driver?
 
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SupraSPL

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
Thanks GUOD, I read that thread a few times but still came away confused. I need my hand held when learning something new or I will screw it up LOL.

So we can use either a 100K potentiometer + 10K resistor to get 0-100% dimming

or

10K potentiometer to get 10-100% dimming?

OK to use either linear or logarithmic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-10K-OHM-Linear-Taper-Potentiometer-Pot-B10K-/260807134429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb9510cdd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-100K-OHM-Logarithmic-Taper-Potentiometer-Pot-A100K-100KA-FREE-SHIPPING-/260902185815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbefb6b57
 
epicfail

epicfail

Well-Known Member
SupraSPL said:
Can anyone post a link to a resistance based dimmer that would work with a single HLN B series driver?
Click to expand...
Just get a 100k Ω Potentiometer connect the middle post to dim- (white) and one of the outer posts to dim+ (blue). If the light dims when you turn it up instead of down switch the blue wire to the other outer post.

100kPot.JPG
​
Edit: I don't use a 10k resistor and it works perfect 0-100%. should I add one? (YES see gouds post below)

the B stands for linear on the part # and a 10K Ω pot will only get you 0-10% dimming with 1 driver or 100% with 10 drivers hooked in parallel. If you wanted to dim 2 drivers at the same time hook them both in parallel to a 50k Ω pot
 
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guod

guod

Well-Known Member
use linear pots

the 10k resistor in series with the Pot limits the lowest setting to about 10%
just for safety for all drivers.
nowadays there are some driver out that do this intern.
here you can use only the pot, rest is done by the driver.

simple reason is; to control a current there has to be a current!

dimming to Null >> PWM or a switch on the powerside of the driver
 
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