Nope_49595933949
Well-Known Member
We are new to LED and indoor growing in general. Is it common for a company to push a meanwell driver 25% past the rated output of the driver? The driver in question is an HLG-120H-54A.
Pushing meanwell drivers past their rated wattage
- Thread starter Nope_49595933949
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bk78
Well-Known Member
Pretty common for every light I’ve owned over the years. My old 240 boards are like 6 years old now all go up to 300w give or take 10w
Nope_49595933949
Well-Known Member
Oh ok. Does it effect the efficiency?
The efficiency graphs only go to 100%. It certainly won't help the lifespan!
1dude1seed
Well-Known Member
Running electronic past their rated specs almost always makes things run hotter. Just like many things electric, I prefer to keep things dialed in roughly 20% below stated max. Not just for the safety headroom, but keeps things a bit cooler. That’s irrelevant if your drivers are outside the tent. YMMV
You are probably thinking of the diodes, the drivers are less efficient at lower power but both last longer.
see if anyone catches this …. Good 1 …. Instead of it’s one louder , it’s one brighter …
cobshopgrow
Well-Known Member
there is a isolation transformer in every meanwell driver.
going over 100% will make this transofrmer warm/hot, especially if youre on 115V (twice the A to 230V).
this will become the bottleneck of your efficacy.
going over 100% will make this transofrmer warm/hot, especially if youre on 115V (twice the A to 230V).
this will become the bottleneck of your efficacy.
Nope_49595933949
Well-Known Member
Thanks for breaking it down.
bulletproof zed
Member
Running a 4" pc /fridge fan on it , the cooler the better, I've found
Or blow the tent exhaust on it.
bk78
Well-Known Member
Flip your fan around if it’s blowing and not sucking
An exhaust fan doesn't do both? My fan draws from the carbon filter and the exhaust blows over the external driver.
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cobshopgrow
Well-Known Member
in the case of constant current, b type drivers thats right.
but constant voltage/A type ones can go quite a bit over their "rating" by setting the screw.
well you know that, but shouldnt be forgotten.
over temp protection will kick in quite late, or, one prob wont have his/her driver near that for a longer time.
7CardBud
Well-Known Member
I looked at the data sheet and it does say you might be able to run it at 120% voltage before safe mode kicks in 
I think this is pretty much a troll thread anywho.....for like $10 more you can buy a 180W driver and run it at 140W.
What's the point of pushing a 120W? I personally don't like sniffing fishy exploded capacitors...but to each their own.
I think this is pretty much a troll thread anywho.....for like $10 more you can buy a 180W driver and run it at 140W.
What's the point of pushing a 120W? I personally don't like sniffing fishy exploded capacitors...but to each their own.