So I found some
14 gauge cable that has 7 conductors. It's actually pretty good deal too at $1.15 a foot. I intend to mount the drivers remotely and run one cable to each fixture to power three strings of cobs off three drivers. The extra 7th conductor will be used as a ground to the frame. The DC wires will be junctioned in a box on the frame and in the DC box by the controller. The dimmer knobs, meter and power switches will all be mounted with the drivers for easy access, AC in one box and DC in another.
I have trying to find some sort of plug/receptacle that would safely handle the seven 14 gauge conductors so I could make it easy to disconnect the light fixture from the drivers. If I have to hard wire it then it would be rather difficult to take the light down for service or if I wanted to run the HPS lights in the winter. I may use the trailer connectors if they will handle the 50 - 54 volts safely. Don't see why not.
Each driver can be powered on and off individually. If the driver powering the meter is turned off then the meter will turn off but the light will operate with other drivers that are on. I have DPST switches ordered to power the drivers since I will be using them at 240 volt it's best to switch both hot legs.
Each driver can be dimmed individually. The meter will be handy if you want to equalize the power on the strings and also handy for going back to previously used levels that were correct for a stage of growth or plant height.
This is gonna be fucking awesome! Stay tuned!
![bongsmilie bongsmilie bongsmilie](/styles/smilies/bong7bp.gif)