How to protect COBs run in series against single COB failure?

[fearnoevil]

You have constant current ordered. No worries of thermal runaway with that. You are good. Only on constant voltage driver. That means no (C) after the H in the model number. Also it will denote the voltage IE ( Hlg 320H-42A)

A versions have a manual dimming pot ranging from roughly 50-100%....

Thanks for that Stephenj and Abiqua, guess I'm still trying to parse out the meaning of some of the specs. For instance under "Type" the data sheet says:

Type A - IP65 Io to adjustable through built-in potentiometer
Type B - IP67 3 in 1 dimming function (0~10Vdc, 10V PWM signal and resistance)

So what is the difference between a built-in pot and a 3-in-1 dimming function (and what do the numbers in parenthesis mean, lol). And if Type A has a built-in pot, then do you need to add a pot for Type B or is it controlled by wiring/logic.

Something I'm really having a hard time finding on the net is some kind of easy (or at least EASIER) to understand description in layman's terms explaining what all the specifications mean. Or if not all, at least the important ones where we are concerned with at least.

If anyone has a link to such info I would really appreciate it. As it is, every time I read one of those data sheets, I feel pretty frustrated since my lack of comprehension leaves me worried that I could be missing important information.

 

[Airwalker16]

Thanks for that Stephenj and Abiqua, guess I'm still trying to parse out the meaning of some of the specs. For instance under "Type" the data sheet says:

Type A - IP65 Io to adjustable through built-in potentiometer
Type B - IP67 3 in 1 dimming function (0~10Vdc, 10V PWM signal and resistance)

So what is the difference between a built-in pot and a 3-in-1 dimming function (and what do the numbers in parenthesis mean, lol). And if Type A has a built-in pot, then do you need to add a pot for Type B or is it controlled by wiring/logic.

Something I'm really having a hard time finding on the net is some kind of easy (or at least EASIER) to understand description in layman's terms explaining what all the specifications mean. Or if not all, at least the important ones where we are concerned with at least.

If anyone has a link to such info I would really appreciate it. As it is, every time I read one of those data sheets, I feel pretty frustrated since my lack of comprehension leaves me worried that I could be missing important information.

Type A has a screw down inside a small hole protected by a rubber stopper. You can dim the driver buy sticking a phillips head screwdriver into it and turning it allowing 50-100% dimming.

The B version driver comes with 2 extra wires which are dimming leads blue and white. Positive and negative. On these, you manually add a potentiometer to the leads for full 0-100% dimming.
In this picture, this is actually dimming 2 drivers simultaneously. You use respectively different rated potentiometers for the amount of drivers being dimmed.
1-100k
2-50k
3-33-35k
4-25k
& so on and so forth.

 

[sixstring2112]

yeah on the b type drives you will need to add a dimming pot to it or use some type of pwm divice like audrino.the data sheets will tell you specific volts and if you know the volts of your chips(cree 3590 is 36v) then you just divide them like 305v dc divided by 36 v= 8.4 chips will run off it. i really think you should watch the growmau5 series if you have not done so,it will really help you be more informed on what to buy or build.

watch all 7 videos if you really wanna understand this stuff

 

[fearnoevil]

Thanks Airwalker, so I guess what I don't understand is why with the B type you have to add a pot (is that a resistor you need to add?) and what does "3 in 1" dimming mean?

With the type B is it possible to wire it up so that you can dim multiple drivers?

 

[THE KONASSURE]

maybe just use a thermal fuse on the heatsink ?

I mean one led fails the other one will get hot just use that or a fuse to shut the circuit off ?

 

[Airwalker16]

Thanks Airwalker, so I guess what I don't understand is why with the B type you have to add a pot (is that a resistor you need to add?) and what does "3 in 1" dimming mean?

With the type B is it possible to wire it up so that you can dim multiple drivers?

Did you even read my post dude? Both questions you just asked are answered in it... and yes, you should add a resistor/resistors equalling 1/10th of the potentiometer rating. 100k=10K resistor. In the pic, 50k pot= 5k resistor. It's actually 5.6k but close enough.
They're different models because some like a knob they can turn and is used on commercial fixtures a LOT. also, gives you full 0-100% rather than 50-100% with the A version.

 

[fearnoevil]

Sixstring, I have watched his video series, but it seems to leave out or miss much of this, but I could have missed or misunderstood it as I had almost zero comprehension of LED lighting and have read so much since it makes me dizzy, lol. I'll have to go back and watch them again to see it I can get more out of it. But I'm still looking for a sort of layman's glossary or definition of terms. Even things like "bin" and "pwm" are hard to find, it's like people simply assume you should know what that means or that you need to already have some basic understanding beforehand.

 

[Airwalker16]

Fearnoevil, read underneath the pic.

 

[fearnoevil]

Did you even read my post dude? Both questions you just asked are answered in it... and yes, you should add a resistor/resistors equalling 1/10th of the potentiometer rating. 100k=10K resistor. In the pic, 50k pot= 5k resistor. It's actually 5.6k but close enough.
They're different models because some like a knob they can turn and is used on commercial fixtures a LOT. also, gives you full 0-100% rather than 50-100% with the A version.

What I meant is I don't understand what seems to be a negligible or odd option, I can see having one model dimmable and the other not, INSTEAD of one just 50% adjustable WITH a pot and one 100% dimmable but WITHOUT a pot, seems odd to me, but then I don't pretend to understand this stuff, lol.

 

[sixstring2112]

Sixstring, I have watched his video series, but it seems to leave out or miss much of this, but I could have missed or misunderstood it as I had almost zero comprehension of LED lighting and have read so much since it makes me dizzy, lol. I'll have to go back and watch them again to see it I can get more out of it. But I'm still looking for a sort of layman's glossary or definition of terms. Even things like "bin" and "pwm" are hard to find, it's like people simply assume you should know what that means or that you need to already have some basic understanding beforehand.

lol i have watched a few of those videos multiple times and still get confused.

 

[Airwalker16]

What I meant is I don't understand what seems to be a negligible or odd option, I can see having one model dimmable and the other not, INSTEAD of one just 50% adjustable WITH a pot and one 100% dimmable but WITHOUT a pot, seems odd to me, but then I don't pretend to understand this stuff, lol.

It makes sense. You need wires to run a knob you can turn somewhere on a commercial fixture. You can't do that with it being IN the driver.

 

[fearnoevil]

Yeah I guess I don't understand why they didn't just put the dimmer on the outside to begin with as that seems easier to adjust, lol, but I suppose I can see why it might not fit in some applications. That is the problem with these things, there's SOOOOOO many options because of all the different applications that require variations on a theme.

 

[fearnoevil]

I think that's part of the issue, with standard HID lighting, the cannabis growers pushed the market and so some vendors evolved to strictly serve our needs, and I think the LED market has yet to do so. Most vendors offer such a dizzying array of choices due to a wide swath of industry demands, and nothing has been tailored to fit yet, with exceptions like Cobkits and a few others, which have their own pros and cons.

 

[Airwalker16]

I think that's part of the issue, with standard HID lighting, the cannabis growers pushed the market and so some vendors evolved to strictly serve our needs, and I think the LED market has yet to do so. Most vendors offer such a dizzying array of choices due to a wide swath of industry demands, and nothing has been tailored to fit yet, with exceptions like Cobkits and a few others, which have their own pros and cons.

Cobs are being used like crazy right now in newer buildings.

 

[Rahz]

Yeah I guess I don't understand why they didn't just put the dimmer on the outside to begin with as that seems easier to adjust, lol, but I suppose I can see why it might not fit in some applications. That is the problem with these things, there's SOOOOOO many options because of all the different applications that require variations on a theme.

Cobs can have slight variances in output. In a retail setting there may be no reason to dim the lights but there is an interest in being able to adjust them so the lighting quality is even. So typically the internal pot on type A drivers would be used once to make adjustments if necessary and wouldn't need to be turned down past 50%. The B drivers were designed to be incorporated in a setting where light levels can be controlled on the fly.

 

[fearnoevil]

Cobs are being used like crazy right now in newer buildings.

Yes, but what I'm talking about are LARGE retailers whose entire business model is aimed squarely at serving the needs of the cannabis grower, so that the only products they would stock would be those needed for this application.

What I'd also like to see is some sort of menu/matrix designed to streamline the selection process for folks who like DIY, but don't have to be completely knowledgeable on the subject of LEDs or lighting spectrums, efficiency etc.. You could simply fill in the variables that are important to you and the matrix would spit out a best fit and most cost effective (certainly should allow for experienced folks to have more flexibility as well).

Possibly a wide variety of more complete kits as well, and be large enough that they'd carry enough inventory so as not to be constantly weeks out on every other part. lol. But that may be just a problem of supply and demand due to the sudden growth of this sector of the industry, idk.

Of course the LED industry seems to be growing pretty fast, new models every few months, but maybe this will slow down a bit in the future as it hits maturity. Not sure how much of this is due to increased usage in cannabis cultivation, but I'm sure with legalization spreading and the explosion of billions of dollars in growth projected over the next 5-10 years, it should be having an impact.

 

[silvrsurfer77]

Type A has a screw down inside a small hole protected by a rubber stopper. You can dim the driver buy sticking a phillips head screwdriver into it and turning it allowing 50-100% dimming.

The B version driver comes with 2 extra wires which are dimming leads blue and white. Positive and negative. On these, you manually add a potentiometer to the leads for full 0-100% dimming.View attachment 3782274
In this picture, this is actually dimming 2 drivers simultaneously. You use respectively different rated potentiometers for the amount of drivers being dimmed.
1-100k
2-50k
3-33-35k
4-25k
& so on and so forth.

I have been trying to figure out a way to control an entire room or commercial site with a high number or drivers. I plan on doing my basement with a total of 24 drivers and want to avoid having a ton of knobs lol. I suppose based off what you just said i could do 10 drivers off a 10k pot right? ......For a more fancy solution
https://aquarium-led-controller.com/product/bluefish-mini-ldd-controller/
has 6 channels but Id hate to get 4 of them......do you think there is a way to wire multiple drivers to each channel ?

 

[HalfBee]

Read closer... those bluefish mini only works with LDD drivers... and that's not what you are using...
But it will handle 3 LDDs driven per channel which makes me rethink my dimmer design once again...

 

[Uberknot]

A versions have a manual dimming pot ranging from roughly 50-100%....

I like the A's built in dimmer works for me anything less than 50% I might as well turn it off anyways.

 

[PilouPilou]

resolution replace the COB

Hello! Sorry but I don't understand what you mean!? What is it this "resolution"?