Getting the right size driver ....
- Thread starter Therrion
- Start date
Isawthelight
Well-Known Member
Yes. HLG-480H-C1400 outputs up to 343 Vdc and 12 PLC Photo Boost Strips wired in series need 324 Vdc (12 x 27 volts dc). You have about 19Vdc to play with.... maybe add 5 to 8 sets (2 stars in parallel) of 730nm starboards in series with the strips to use up the last few volts and boost the emerson effect.
Therrion
Well-Known Member
I'm building a 5' x 10' array. I don't think I can squeeze in those starboards, considering the strips are 2 feet with 5 on 10ft heat sinks.
NoWaistedSpace
Well-Known Member
If it is a type "A" driver. (built in potentiometer), it will go ahead and use up that remaining milliamps spread across the whole system. The "B" style(dimming leads) drivers give you the 1400mA only. My .02.
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Rocket Soul
Well-Known Member
I would double check the specs on the connectors cause usually they are max 300V. Also, some led strips have internal circuits that dont play well with high voltage. @Greengenes707 should be able to confirm on that
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
I'm also curious what you can realistically push these board too with proper 20/40mm fans along the tops of heatsinks.
Greengenes707
Well-Known Member
Math wise you are correct, that would be the right driver to run 12 boards in series. The issue is the connectors are only rated for 300v. 10 boards is the max you can run in series.
The best use of more than 10 boards on a single driver, like a hlg480 or hlg600 is to run a series parallel configuration. 2 boards in series to make 54v, then as many of those in parallel.
So fo the hlg480-54 with 12 boards, you would have 6 parallel strings of 2 boards. and you be running them at ~1480ma per boards.
You can run them in pure parallel on a 30v driver, but leaves a little wattage on the table compared to the 54v configuration.
Therrion
Well-Known Member
It was your video and Gromau5's that inspired my build. Graumau5 said that wiring in parallel is bad due to thermal runaway. Your thoughts? I'm trying to figure out how many Photo Boost Light strips I would need for a 5' x10' flowering footprint to get 1000 PFFD+ and the spacing I would use on heat sinks in your video. They sell the heats sinks in 5ft lengths, I can wield 2 together to make 10ft if I have to. I would also like to know how many drivers I would need and the type. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
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Greengenes707
Well-Known Member
Now all he does is sell parallel wired kits. Parallel is just fine. In a system build to perform well within specs(both thermally and electrically) thermal runaway is not really an issue. The differences in voltage from board to board is is low, ~.1-.2V difference if at all. All chips are the same voltage bin.
32 strips at 1400ma for a 5x10.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Thermal runaway was something we all concerned ourselves with in the beginning before we had the last 2-3 yrs to wait...and watch... And nothin. Still haven't seen one thread about it happening to anyone or anyone they know. Parallel wiring is actually very nice as it opens up a lot more possibilities.
whytewidow
Well-Known Member
I have 660w of Sammy's run in parallel on 24v drivers. Your chances of thermal runaway is slim to none. Unless you really.push the strips. But I agree running 54v drivers in series parallel is the best option. Or if money isnt an issue use multiple drivers. And split it up.
Therrion
Well-Known Member
Money isn't an issue , I just don't want a shit load of plugs. What driver would I use if I just wanted to make 5 parallel strings of 2 boards?
Greengenes707
Well-Known Member
Two 320w drivers...one plug
One 600w driver...one plug
One 320wdriver= $80... Two 320w drivers= $160
One 600w driver= $160
Sir420
Active Member
@Greengenes707 how many plc strips (heads up this is kind of tricky lol) would be required to hit 1000 ppf @ 6" or less away from canopy but this is the wierd part lol .. I have 6" PVC something like this
The PVC is 7' long but canopy will be 6' long & will take up 3x3 area basically.. will make sure plants are 18-20" tall .. I want PLC strips to run at 500-700ma & I want it to add up to 700 watts so how many strips & size drivers do I need.. looking to pre order now..
The PVC is 7' long but canopy will be 6' long & will take up 3x3 area basically.. will make sure plants are 18-20" tall .. I want PLC strips to run at 500-700ma & I want it to add up to 700 watts so how many strips & size drivers do I need.. looking to pre order now..
Rocket Soul
Well-Known Member
Please post that build
Sir420
Active Member
https://www.rollitup.org/t/led-strip-gurus-around-here-stop-by-and-check-out-this-vertical-setup-that-needs-tweaking.987102/
Jump over to this thread to check out the future of how grow rooms will be made to keep up with low market costs !!! All growers need to chip in to help growing community with any tips or knowelege they feel welcome
Jump over to this thread to check out the future of how grow rooms will be made to keep up with low market costs !!! All growers need to chip in to help growing community with any tips or knowelege they feel welcome