1440 watt project - Cutter strips, Time to build!

[diggs99]

So why use a CV driver and wire in parallel instead of CC driver and wire in series? Don't you get voltage drop over 18 strips? Sorry, I am learning too.

I really wish I could answer this question for you, I'm honestly not sure.

This build was planned by whytewidow, its very similar to the fixtures he built recently. He just told me what I needed and I bought it and put it all together and it lit up. Win lol

According to him tho, no voltage drop.

I'm still learning too and the tech stuff ain't coming quick lol

@whytewidow Can answer best, although I haven't seen him around much lately. Hope all is well

 

[diggs99]

Finally the project boxes showed up.

Ill finish the lights tomorrow.

New room should be ready to go for Sunday.

 

[whytewidow]

Those drivers are both cv/cc it depends on which voltage range your pulling... as to which mode the driver will be in. If you stay in the cc range it stays cc. If you go to CV range it stays CV.

 

[whytewidow]

Sry man. I've been so busy its unreal. Between family problems then working 18hrs a day plus trying to do family stuff and build lights I'm so gar behind its unreal. I'm probably going to have to hire someone to help me. I have so many people on IG hitting me up for lights its unreal. I never dreamed it was gonna blow up like that. I've had to tell people I couldnt build them lights bc of time frame. I have 2 to ship out this coming week. Finish one for tman Again. And I have 7 more to build.

 

[whytewidow]

Light looks sick though man. Excellent work. People dont realize how much work it really is. And just think you're using quick connect strips. All mine are hand soldered. Each fukn strip. Time doesnt stop.

 

[diggs99]

Sry man. I've been so busy its unreal. Between family problems then working 18hrs a day plus trying to do family stuff and build lights I'm so gar behind its unreal. I'm probably going to have to hire someone to help me. I have so many people on IG hitting me up for lights its unreal. I never dreamed it was gonna blow up like that. I've had to tell people I couldnt build them lights bc of time frame. I have 2 to ship out this coming week. Finish one for tman Again. And I have 7 more to build.

Hey bud, good to see you around. Im not overly surprised that interest in your builds keep increasing, you build slick lights, very professional. Glad your doing well with it.

Light looks sick though man. Excellent work. People dont realize how much work it really is. And just think you're using quick connect strips. All mine are hand soldered. Each fukn strip. Time doesnt stop.

Thanks man, id still be trying to figure out wtf everything is if it werent for all the help you gave me and guidance getting me to this point. Im happy with how the lights are turning out. Mine arent quite so clean as yours, my wiring isnt as pretty lol. Hopefully by tomorrow, these lights will be above plants and start earning their keep.

 

[diggs99]

Can anyone help me clarify something please.

Im gonna use wago 5s to connect wiring for next light, i never ordered enough thermal blocks apparently.

Looking at the pic on led gardener( same pic @Airwalker16 linked me) it shows 2 ports on the driver for connecting leds. My 480h-48a only has 1 port where driver connects to leds.

Do i just keep connecting all the black on every strip from wago to wago? same with red? thus having just 1 red and 1 black 14awg wire connecting leds to driver? It wouldnt look the same as the pic below, thats why im trying to make sure im doing this right.

 

[Chip Green]

Do i just keep connecting all the black on every strip from wago to wago? same with red? thus having just 1 red and 1 black 14awg wire connecting leds to driver? It

Yes.
Imagine only half of that picture.
Not sure why it shows a 480 driver with two outputs, pretty sure only the 600s have that.

 

[diggs99]

Yes.
Imagine only half of that picture.
Not sure why it shows a 480 driver with two outputs, pretty sure only the 600s have that.

Thank you chip, appreciate it bud

 

[Moflow]

Yes.
Imagine only half of that picture.
Not sure why it shows a 480 driver with two outputs, pretty sure only the 600s have that.

I didnt think the 480s had 2 outputs either......
I just checked the meanwell pdf.... And they do!
I learn something new every day

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/HLG-480H/HLG-480H-SPEC.PDF&ved=2ahUKEwjxpcnCpYDjAhWUolwKHYlJDa4QFjABegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw1I0A-FdIHYPlQr7HQYEIc8

 

[diggs99]

I didnt think the 480s had 2 outputs either......
I just checked the meanwell pdf.... And they do!
I learn something new every day

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/HLG-480H/HLG-480H-SPEC.PDF&ved=2ahUKEwjxpcnCpYDjAhWUolwKHYlJDa4QFjABegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw1I0A-FdIHYPlQr7HQYEIc8

Mine only has the 1 output on each of them. I remember seeing the 600s with 2 , first time noticing any 480s with 2 tho.

Messed me up a little when i looked at the pic lol

 

[diggs99]

how are you all hanging your fixtures?

i plan to use ratchet straps, not sure how im gonna attatch ratchets to fixtures yet tho, wondering if your using chain to make a triangle, or hooks on the frame?

 

[Moflow]

Mine only has the 1 output on each of them. I remember seeing the 600s with 2 , first time noticing any 480s with 2 tho.

Messed me up a little when i looked at the pic lol

I think it's on the 24v - 42v versions only so no worries there lol

 

[Moflow]

how are you all hanging your fixtures?

i plan to use ratchet straps, not sure how im gonna attatch ratchets to fixtures yet tho, wondering if your using chain to make a triangle, or hooks on the frame?

Ratchets. Eyebolts in each corner, More holes to drill...... lol

 

[diggs99]

Ratchets. Eyebolts in each corner, More holes to drill...... lol

Ya thats what i thought lol

im using the t slot extrusions for frame, forgot to order the proper part they have for sliding in the slot and allowing to hang. Would have been much easier.

 

[Moflow]

Ya thats what i thought lol

im using the t slot extrusions for frame, forgot to order the proper part they have for sliding in the slot and allowing to hang. Would have been much easier.

Get some wire and make temporary loops to attach ratchets to and order the parts you forgot for that sleek professional look

 

[diggs99]

I found these in my one of my tool boxes, the screws fit good and tighten into the tnut with a couple extra washers as fillers.

I think they will work.

 

[Rocket Soul]

Hey D

This is what i suggest for 7 strip units, using 5 way wagos. First forget about the driver. Connect the strips first so you have one input and output per set.

On the plus side: 4 strips in one wago, last slot daisy chained to the next wago. Next wago is 3 strips, one slot from the previous wago and one slot towards driver. Same thing for the minus side. Personally i prefer connecting in a tree instead of daisy chaining but mostnpeople around here daisy chains. Its the way described in the pic. Also you cant cant a tree with 7 strips.

Once you have your strips connected you can decide how many sets of 7 you connect to your driver. Take all the plus sides and put them into another wago leaving one slot for the driver. Same thing for minus. Does that make sense? Not sure im explaining right.

If you already figured this then sorry.

 

[diggs99]

Hey D

This is what i suggest for 7 strip units, using 5 way wagos. First forget about the driver. Connect the strips first so you have one input and output per set.

On the plus side: 4 strips in one wago, last slot daisy chained to the next wago. Next wago is 3 strips, one slot from the previous wago and one slot towards driver. Same thing for the minus side. Personally i prefer connecting in a tree instead of daisy chaining but mostnpeople around here daisy chains. Its the way described in the pic. Also you cant cant a tree with 7 strips.

Once you have your strips connected you can decide how many sets of 7 you connect to your driver. Take all the plus sides and put them into another wago leaving one slot for the driver. Same thing for minus. Does that make sense? Not sure im explaining right.

If you already figured this then sorry.

Thanks Rocket, Im already started the wiring, i started at the driver for + and ran 14awg to port 1 in the first wago. first 3 strips + 18awg wire in wago ports 2-3-4...port 5 14awg into next wagos port 1...i did this for all 18+ and 18- ....6 wagos each + and -...12 total

So from the driver i have 1 positive and 1 negative

i think this is right lol

ill be back with pics once i have everything cleaned up and looking presentable lol

 

[Airwalker16]

Can anyone help me clarify something please.

Im gonna use wago 5s to connect wiring for next light, i never ordered enough thermal blocks apparently.

Looking at the pic on led gardener( same pic @Airwalker16 linked me) it shows 2 ports on the driver for connecting leds. My 480h-48a only has 1 port where driver connects to leds.

Do i just keep connecting all the black on every strip from wago to wago? same with red? thus having just 1 red and 1 black 14awg wire connecting leds to driver? It wouldnt look the same as the pic below, thats why im trying to make sure im doing this right.View attachment 4354305

That's just because the pic is showing an HLG-600H. Just wire all parallel, to the one set of driver outputs. Simpleness.