Stealth/Safe DIY CXA3070 project

[Abiqua]

Plus you can also run smaller emitters in series with the spare voltage...say you run 3 cobs on one 1.05 or 1.4 driver, I believe you would have around 25v's still remaining.

Just to add complexity [not sure if it is needed] but if you wanted to run lower amperage diodes with the "spare" current, that are below the 1.05 or 1.4a, you could wire parallel strings into series runs, utilizing the 25v's.

So for instance you could run three parallel diodes of 350mA [Phillips Luxeon Blues?] and then wire it into series with your cobs. Or several that add up to 25+v's....

 

[Dawamesk]

Plus you can also run smaller emitters in series with the spare voltage...say you run 3 cobs on one 1.05 or 1.4 driver, I believe you would have around 25v's still remaining.

Just to add complexity [not sure if it is needed] but if you wanted to run lower amperage diodes with the "spare" current, that are below the 1.05 or 1.4a, you could wire parallel strings into series runs, utilizing the 25v's.

So for instance you could run three parallel diodes of 350mA [Phillips Luxeon Blues?] and then wire it into series with your cobs. Or several that add up to 25+v's....

Ok that's good to know !

The goal would be to have a better spectrum if I correctly get what you mean ... But is it truly necessary ? I understood that growing sativa dominent hybrids can be a problem under those cree 3070, is it really the case and if so what could help solving it ?

Thank you so much guys helping me getting rid of my rookie status

 

[Dawamesk]

TRC Electronics may have the HLG-185H-C1050B. It might be worth a call to them since they don't indicate whether it's in stock or not on the website. The two 1.4a drivers (HLG-185H-C1400B) certainly do cost more upfront but they will run either 2 or 3 emitters each so that would give you the option to expand from 4 to 6 emitters in the future. If you can get the 1050 that would save on the upfront cost.

http://www.trcelectronics.com/View/Mean-Well/HLG-185H-C1050B.shtml

Shhhhheep ! They replied and they do only b2b so impossible to raise an order for myself.

Well I guess now it only depends on how big the christmas bonus of my company will be to define if I order 2 HLG-185H-C1400B or simply 4 709-LPC60-1050 with no dimming ... fingers crossed !!!

 

[Dawamesk]

Ok guys,

after some more investigation I've decided to order 4 of those Alu heatsinks:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Alu-Kuehlkoerper-fuer-10-120-W-Watt-LED-Chip-Heat-Sink-DIY-Fluter-SMD-Flutlicht-/111362015923?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:NL:3160

They are said to be ideal for 70w LED passive cooling. I will drive my cobs at 1050ma and maybe 1400ma so I guess they should make it here without the need of extra fans.

For the drivers, It seems Meanwell has some delay producing the HLG-185H-C1050B.
So, can you guys just confirm what has been said earlier in the thread: am I doing good ordering 2 of the HLG-185H-C1400B to drive 4x3070AB from 1050ma to 1400ma ?

More, If someone here could tell me what potentiometers/parts (for dimming) to order on Mouser that would be of a great help ! Same for the COB holders: there are too much references and even though I've tried to check their data sheets I was not able to find a model that would fit my CXA 3070 for sure ... kinda lost here ! Help needed

When everything goes smooth I should be able to gather all the missing parts by the end of next week and will then start building the whole thing so expect some updates very soon

Merry Christmas to you all !!!

Dawamesk.

 

[Tazbud]

I was looking at the h/s mate. You are off to a good start in your planning but (from my recently acquired experience) i'd be weary of them dissipating passively the heat from the 3070's even at 1050mA. 10w passively perhaps?


http://www.newark.com/ideal/50-2234c/led-holder-cxa30-array-series/dp/90W0065?CMP=TREML008-005

 

[Dawamesk]

I was looking at the h/s mate. You are off to a good start in your planning but (from my recently acquired experience) i'd be weary of them dissipating passively the heat from the 3070's even at 1050mA. 10w passively perhaps?


http://www.newark.com/ideal/50-2234c/led-holder-cxa30-array-series/dp/90W0065?CMP=TREML008-005

Do you really think they''re that bad ? We'll find out very soon anyway since they've been ordered allready ... if they don't perform well I'll consider getting some active cooling h/s even though it's not what I truly wanted. Not so many options in EU to find good passive ones ...

Is the ideal cob holder the only one existing for CXA30 array ? I've also found this model but It's not available from Mouser and shipping to europe is way too expensive ... I think I'll have to forget about them.

Any idea for the drivers and the part required for dimming maybe ?

 

[Tazbud]

They look bulky i'm just not sure without some airflow, I run at low power, Supra and some of these other guys might chime in. I have a slightly smaller version of that H/S, was planning on using it for a 10w uv.. .. If you can dim it shouldn't be a drama, you'll find a sweet spot, hopefully not too disappointing, i'd be keeping a close eye on the h/s temps..and over hours.. as tey slowly heat up..

In euro? at 230/240V?? I use meanwells hvgc series personally. I dont want to advise outside of my experience (or collection of dumb questions) but see this page for some thoughts re a pentometer: https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-leds-how-to-power-them.801554/page-43#post-11137122

Those holders I bought through element14 but yeah, I'll try just tape and paste next time (see Supras threads)

Good Luck.

 

[Mechmike]

Do you really think they''re that bad ? We'll find out very soon anyway since they've been ordered allready ... if they don't perform well I'll consider getting some active cooling h/s even though it's not what I truly wanted. Not so many options in EU to find good passive ones ...

Is the ideal cob holder the only one existing for CXA30 array ? I've also found this model but It's not available from Mouser and shipping to europe is way too expensive ... I think I'll have to forget about them.

Any idea for the drivers and the part required for dimming maybe ?

I don't know about the CXA holder but the potentiometer you need for dimming a single HLG Meanwell is a 100k linear taper potentiometer. The Meanwell datasheet shows how the dimming function is wired and potentiometer requirements.

As for driving, I think you asked earlier if you should use 2 of the HLG-185-C1400B to drive 4 CXA3070s. If I read your question correctly those drivers would work to drive 3. To drive 2 per driver, your best choice would be the HLG-120-C1400B. The HLG-185-C1400B puts out 147v max while the HLG-120-1400B puts out 108v max. It's best to run your drivers at 70% or higher of the max voltage output for efficiency reasons.

 

[Dawamesk]

Thx Tazbud, Mike !

Valuable info here

Mechmike, the driver you recommend is out of stock everywhere, will it be a real drama to run 2 cobs per HLG-185-C1400B ? If so, and since it's the only dimmable HLG driver available in stock out there, I might give a go to simple LPC-60-1050, one per cob ...

 

[Abiqua]

Thx Tazbud, Mike !

Valuable info here

Mechmike, the driver you recommend is out of stock everywhere, will it be a real drama to run 2 cobs per HLG-185-C1400B ? If so, and since it's the only dimmable HLG driver available in stock out there, I might give a go to simple LPC-60-1050, one per cob ...

The letters stand for differences in dimmability...

: B versions seem to the most configurable for a DIY source, as you could use either of 3 options to dim them. Which could be most cost effective too.....

Here are the difference FYI from PowerGate
These two series have three options (A/B/D type) in different mechanisms and functions for your selection.
For A type model, users can adjust the current range from 50% to 100% by internal potentiometer;

B type equips with three-in-one dimming function (1~10VDC, PWM, resistance),

while D type (optional model) equips with “multiple stage timer dimming” function that can be customized by request.

 

[Abiqua]

Although.......... any of these drivers, DO NOT have to be dimmed either, they just have that particular capability if used [A,B,D] for that function.

 

[SupraSPL]

http://www.onlinecomponents.com/mean-well-hlg120hc1400b.html?p=45327082

 

[Dawamesk]

Thx guys for the feedback !

I've been checking what are the possibilities and I'm very limited for my driver order because of part availability, b2b limitation for some resellers, high import taxes from the us (thx Supra for the link but It's hardly doable for me from EU)...

Basically, the model I can easily get is the HLG-185H-C1050A ... It will be ok to run 4x3070AB at 1050ma in serie right ? I know dimming will not be as easy as with the B version but I will just drive them at 1050ma for the time being I guess ...

Just about to place the order now when you guys confirm I'm doing good

 

[Mechmike]

Thx guys for the feedback !

I've been checking what are the possibilities and I'm very limited for my driver order because of part availability, b2b limitation for some resellers, high import taxes from the us (thx Supra for the link but It's hardly doable for me from EU)...

Basically, the model I can easily get is the HLG-185H-C1050A ... It will be ok to run 4x3070AB at 1050ma in serie right ? I know dimming will not be as easy as with the B version but I will just drive them at 1050ma for the time being I guess ...

Just about to place the order now when you guys confirm I'm doing good

The HLG-185H-C1050A will work just fine for driving 4 CXA 3070s in series and you will have full dimming function for when you only need a small amount of light. You'll have a more efficient light at 1050ma than 1400ma too. The lower current is a good choice.

 

[Dawamesk]

The HLG-185H-C1050A will work just fine for driving 4 CXA 3070s in series and you will have full dimming function for when you only need a small amount of light. You'll have a more efficient light at 1050ma than 1400ma too. The lower current is a good choice.

One last question Mike:
when I put 2xCXA3070 on the HLG-185-C1400B and dimm it to 1050ma, I will then use it at 75% of its full power which is good enough right ?

I'm asking this because I'm going completely nuts with the drivers availability and even though I can get the HLG-185H-C1050A the HLG-185-C1400B is much easier for me to order and also it will allow me to have an easy dimming function ... when 2 cobs really can't go on the HLG-185-C1400B I will then consider using 3 cobs with it and forget about my 4 cobs setup I wanted in the first place ...

Sorry for all the confusion and questions but as you've probably noticed this thing is driving me crazy at the moment

 

[Mechmike]

One last question Mike:
when I put 2xCXA3070 on the HLG-185-C1400B and dimm it to 1050ma, I will then use it at 75% of its full power which is good enough right ?

I'm asking this because I'm going completely nuts with the drivers availability and even though I can get the HLG-185H-C1050A the HLG-185-C1400B is much easier for me to order and also it will allow me to have an easy dimming function ... when 2 cobs really can't go on the HLG-185-C1400B I will then consider using 3 cobs with it and forget about my 4 cobs setup I wanted in the first place ...

Sorry for all the confusion and questions but as you've probably noticed this thing is driving me crazy at the moment

I don't know the answer to your question regarding the efficiency of the 1400ma driver under the conditions you describe. Using only 80 of the 143v volt output would only use 56% of the available voltage which is not a good choice for best efficiency. The best choices are the HLG-185-C1400A driving 3 emitters OR the HLG-185-C1050A driving 4 emitters. With those drivers you could add some smaller emitters, like the Cree XPL or XML-U2 to the string and use closer all of the available voltage.

 

[Dawamesk]

So guys,

I did trust my instinct and finally ordered a Meanwell driver ... the lucky winner is:
HLG-120H-C1050B

Specs are 155.4W 1050mA 74-148V CC IP67 Dimming.

As far as I understand it will be ok to handle 4 cobs @1050ma since they'll require max 145v in total (4x36,25vf)... please tell me I did good

 

[Tazbud]

Pentometer lol.
Sounds sweet (they draw slightly less current driven softer?):

 

[Dawamesk]

Pentometer lol.
Sounds sweet (they draw slightly less current driven softer?):
View attachment 3320215

Exactly yes !

Since I can't drive them over 1050ma it should be fine with this driver ... at least I hope

 

[Dawamesk]

Ok, after some necessary investigations and thanks to you guys I have now ordered almost all the required parts for my project :

- 4 heatsinks for passive cooling (1per cob):
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Alu-Kuehlkoerper-fuer-10-120-W-Watt-LED-Chip-Heat-Sink-DIY-Fluter-SMD-Flutlicht-/111362015923?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:NL:3160

- 8 cob holders from TE connectivity (2 per cob):
http://eu.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=2-2154857-2virtualkey58190000virtualkey571-2-2154857-2

- 1 Meanwell driver (for all 4 cobs):
http://eu.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=HLG-120H-C1050Bvirtualkey63430000virtualkey709-HLG120H-C1050B

- 1 potentiometer for dimming:
http://eu.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=3852A-282-104ALvirtualkey65210000virtualkey652-3852A-282-104AL

TheCXA3070AB should follow very soon and now only remains a couple of little things to be gathered like coper wire, thermal pads, wire connectors ... any recommendation on those from you LED masters maybe ?

That was slowly but surely done thanks to RIU community