Driver Differences

Ok, so im looking to get some opinions, and by god i know ill get some.


So im looking at more from an efficiency stand point and wanted to ask what would be more efficient: Having an ELG 240watt meanwell driver that is run at 200 watts, or an HLG 240 meanwell driver thats run at 240 watt. Lets also just say that all of the diodes are the same as well, LM301B's as to just compare the drivers. I know under running them really ups the efficiency and longevity of the lights.

Im looking at lights and i saw this, and it made me wonder. If anyone has any ideas and as to why, i would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Looking at specs the hlg 240 is .5% more efficient pretty much same efficiency ,if you want max efficiency more leds more drivers all on lowest power

Running LED softer is good for their efficiency.
Running drivers soft...is not good for their efficiency

It's not horrible and all depends on the load%...but in general drivers are most efficient at max load(100% power). This is shown in every drivers spec sheet in a graph of "efficiency vs load"

Bottom right graph on page 7 for the elg240
https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/ELG-240/ELG-240-SPEC.PDF
Page 6 in this one for the hlg240...

200w/240w=83% load...find what that is in efficiency on the graph.

So with the "same leds as the load"...
240w full blast will have a more efficient driver, but may loose 1-2% in led efficacy compared to 200w.
200w will run the leds more efficient, but los 1-2% in the driver efficiency

Overall the full system will have probably really similar total efficiency. Efficiency is cool to talk about and split hairs on...but output grows plants.

Hydrahail said:

Looking at specs the hlg 240 is .5% more efficient pretty much same efficiency ,if you want max efficiency more leds more drivers all on lowest power

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Ok. The Lm301hs are only a couple percentage efficiency better too. So even with all of the added fancy equipment, it probably would still be best to buy something slightly overpowered and run it.

HippieDudeRon said:

Running LED softer is good for their efficiency.
Running drivers soft...is not good for their efficiency

It's not horrible and all depends on the load%...but in general drivers are most efficient at max load(100% power). This is shown in every drivers spec sheet in a graph of "efficiency vs load"

Bottom right graph on page 7 for the elg240
https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/ELG-240/ELG-240-SPEC.PDF
Page 6 in this one for the hlg240...

https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/HLG-240H/HLG-240H-SPEC.PDF

200w/240w=83% load...find what that is in efficiency on the graph.

So with the "same leds as the load"...
240w full blast will have a more efficient driver, but may loose 1-2% in led efficacy compared to 200w.
200w will run the leds more efficient, but los 1-2% in the driver efficiency

Overall the full system will have probably really similar total efficiency. Efficiency is cool to talk about and split hairs on...but output grows plants.

Click to expand...

Interesting. Well i suppose its not as clear cut as i thought. Im about to buy another light and i want to keep my energy used as low as possible while thinking of the future of the light itself. I want the light to last as long as possible. Grow lights are so similar now a days. The factor that separates them, imo, is longevity and efficiency.

The ELG driver downgrades some specs at 120V, if your in the us you should look for hlg or xlg meanwell drivers.

I'm not sure what meanwell counts as "load". Total watts? Out going voltage (for cc drivers).

But a friend recently did some tests: dimming from max output to min only gave a 2 percent efficiency boost at system level due to driver losing efficiency on low output.

Rocket Soul said:

The ELG driver downgrades some specs at 120V, if your in the us you should look for hlg or xlg meanwell drivers.

I'm not sure what meanwell counts as "load". Total watts? Out going voltage (for cc drivers).

But a friend recently did some tests: dimming from max output to min only gave a 2 percent efficiency boost at system level due to driver losing efficiency on low output.

Click to expand...

Ok. So even tho there was an efficiency boost from the diodes, because the driver lost efficiency, it was only about 2%? Yeah im in the U.S. so ill look into that.

Ah i see. At 120 its only rated for power up to 180...hmmm

Wait a sec, why does it say that the ELG has a "no load/ standby power consumption" and the XLG doesnt say that.

Mother fucker, are these lights eating up energy just when they are plugged in?

SpideyManDan said:

Wait a sec, why does it say that the ELG has a "no load/ standby power consumption" and the XLG doesnt say that.

Mother fucker, are these lights eating up energy just when they are plugged in?

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I think it's because the ELG dims to Off. Not too sure.

SpideyManDan said:

Ok. So even tho there was an efficiency boost from the diodes, because the driver lost efficiency, it was only about 2%? Yeah im in the U.S. so ill look into that.

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Yes, and you can find out exactly what it will be by referencing the efficiency vs load graphs. And knowing your led efficiency at the board level.

Board efficiency x driver efficiency = system efficiency

Hello @SpideyManDan

Great question - another thing to consider that we have found after having tested many different drivers in house:

1. Meanwell HLG series have a 7 year mfr warranty and ELG/XLG only a 5 year warranty

2. HLG series drivers will be slightly more efficient

3. HLG series drivers use an extruded aluminum case designed to act as a heatsink - ELG/XLG use stamped aluminum

@HippieDudeRon has a legitimate point - unless you are running multiple units, and many of them at that, your PPF output will be higher with a higher wattage driver even though efficiency might be the same/slightly lower. This will equate to more dry weight yield at the end of the day.

Best of luck.

Take care
Dan

RainDan said:

Hello @SpideyManDan

Great question - another thing to consider that we have found after having tested many different drivers in house:

1. Meanwell HLG series have a 7 year mfr warranty and ELG/XLG only a 5 year warranty

2. HLG series drivers will be slightly more efficient

3. HLG series drivers use an extruded aluminum case designed to act as a heatsink - ELG/XLG use stamped aluminum

@HippieDudeRon has a legitimate point - unless you are running multiple units, and many of them at that, your PPF output will be higher with a higher wattage driver even though efficiency might be the same/slightly lower. This will equate to more dry weight yield at the end of the day.

Best of luck.

Take care
Dan

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Very cool. I appreciate you sharing some of the knowledge youve learned. Ill keep those points in mind.

Its interesting, ive finally learned how to grow plants so i can devote some of my other learning to lighting and the components that make up that.

Rocket Soul said:

I'm not sure what meanwell counts as "load"

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"load" is what the driver is supplying power to, in this case the load is the led's.

I've just finished upgrading all my lights to QB's à la tight budget and have a mix of (4)XLG, (2)ELG & (1)HLG drivers. I'm not seeing any real difference in their functionality & having a smallish grow I really don't expect to.

Hugo Phurst said:

"load" is what the driver is supplying power to, in this case the load is the led's.

I've just finished upgrading all my lights to QB's à la tight budget and have a mix of (4)XLG, (2)ELG & (1)HLG drivers. I'm not seeing any real difference in their functionality & having a smallish grow I really don't expect to.

Click to expand...

I appreciate your input. I was curious about efficiency as well. Im trying to keep my electricity usage down. I figured a better driver should help with heat which will in turn help with any a/c i may have to run during the summer. Do you happen to have a before and after on how much was being used?

SpideyManDan said:

Wait a sec, why does it say that the ELG has a "no load/ standby power consumption" and the XLG doesnt say that.

Mother fucker, are these lights eating up energy just when they are plugged in?

Click to expand...

Yes. It's in stand-by mode like your tv and many other electronic appliances, but it's a trivial amount, forget it.

SpideyManDan said:

I appreciate your input. I was curious about efficiency as well. Im trying to keep my electricity usage down. I figured a better driver should help with heat which will in turn help with any a/c i may have to run during the summer. Do you happen to have a before and after on how much was being used?

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Drivers aren't the place to gain efficiency unless you have a really poor one. A typical Meanwell is around 92-94% efficiency. That percentage of the power goes to the diodes where it's converted to heat and light, the remainder is converted to heat by the driver.

1212ham said:

Yes. It's in stand-by mode like your tv and many other electronic appliances, but it's a trivial amount, forget it.

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It is, but are you aware that every appliance, while plugged in, is most likely still using electricity..... that shit adds up. I want to know where my electricity is going.

SpideyManDan said:

I appreciate your input. I was curious about efficiency as well. Im trying to keep my electricity usage down. I figured a better driver should help with heat which will in turn help with any a/c i may have to run during the summer. Do you happen to have a before and after on how much was being used?

Click to expand...

Sorry, no not at all.

Hugo Phurst said:

Sorry, no not at all.

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No worries. I was just curious.