Ideal driver for 6 x 4 foot bridgelux gen 2 strips

Artificia1

Active Member
Hey everyone,
Arrow is doing a 10% their site right now so I am pulling the trigger on 6 x bridgelux gen 2 strips that I want to run @ 100%. Ledgardener has a driver calculator and it recommends the HLG-480-48 but the calculator uses gen 1 strips. Is there a better driver for my selection? Also ledgardener recommends a parallel setup because it is safer if that makes a difference for the driver selection. Thanks everyone!
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
Ok, I know there is efficiency etc. to keep in mind. The cost per strip VS cost per kW to run just makes it more economical to run these strips at lower densities but higher intensity.
6 (double row) strips, would cover something between 4x4 and 4x5. 600W of light from the same LEDS > 480W's worth at slightly higher efficiency. The running cost is so low it is almost immaterial. My current grow, including fans, dehumidifier, and lights, would cost less than 8 grams of weed to pay off.
 

Artificia1

Active Member
Ok, I know there is efficiency etc. to keep in mind. The cost per strip VS cost per kW to run just makes it more economical to run these strips at lower densities but higher intensity.
6 (double row) strips, would cover something between 4x4 and 4x5. 600W of light from the same LEDS > 480W's worth at slightly higher efficiency. The running cost is so low it is almost immaterial. My current grow, including fans, dehumidifier, and lights, would cost less than 8 grams of weed to pay off.
I hope I am reading this right but you are saying it would be better to get a bigger driver than the 480?
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
Yes, BUT I am thinking of double row strips. How many Watts can those Bridgelux strips do?

I run one 320W driver per 4x2 here.
 

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone,
Arrow is doing a 10% their site right now so I am pulling the trigger on 6 x bridgelux gen 2 strips that I want to run @ 100%. Ledgardener has a driver calculator and it recommends the HLG-480-48 but the calculator uses gen 1 strips. Is there a better driver for my selection? Also ledgardener recommends a parallel setup because it is safer if that makes a difference for the driver selection. Thanks everyone!
That driver will work, run the strips in series pairs for ~40V per pair and turn the voltage adjustment down until you get 39-40 volts out of it.
 

Artificia1

Active Member
Yes, BUT I am thinking of double row strips. How many Watts can those Bridgelux strips do?

I run one 320W driver per 4x2 here.
The datasheet says that typical power is 27.3 w.

That driver will work, run the strips in series pairs for ~40V per pair and turn the voltage adjustment down until you get 39-40 volts out of it.
Is there a driver you think that would fit better for this build?
 

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
The datasheet says that typical power is 27.3 w.



Is there a driver you think that would fit better for this build?
The strips are rated for a max of 56W each - the 480 is way more power than you need. Unless you intend to add more strips, I would suggest the HLG-320H-48 driver instead. You could also run the HLG-320H-C1400B as well, since the strips are rated for 1400 mA max - if you want to do constant current.

And my mistake on the series pairs - the 44" strips are 40 volts each, not 20., so just run all 6 in parallel.
 

Artificia1

Active Member
The strips are rated for a max of 56W each - the 480 is way more power than you need. Unless you intend to add more strips, I would suggest the HLG-320H-48 driver instead. You could also run the HLG-320H-C1400B as well, since the strips are rated for 1400 mA max - if you want to do constant current.

And my mistake on the series pairs - the 44" strips are 40 volts each, not 20., so just run all 6 in parallel.
Yeah I was thinking I could get by with the 320. I'll get the 48A so I can avoid soldering a potentiometer. Appreciate the help @nfhiggs and @ANC!

Turns out Arrow does not have the 48 in stock, would the 1050A work similar to the 1400?
 

Randomblame

Well-Known Member
I hope you have not ordered anything!
The perfect CV/CC driver for 6 EBgen2 strips would be an HLG-320H-42A because the strips need typ. 41v@1,4A according to the datasheet.
Screenshot_20180427-113929.png

The HLG-320H-42A has 7,65A while the -48A has only 6,7A.
In addition, you would force the driver to work in CC mode, since the 41v is not within the voltage controller capabilities. However, it remains at the 6.7A, so it only delivers about 275w (1,116A per strip). With the -42A model you get the full 7.65A, so each strip runs at 1.275A, probably even with 1.3A. With amperage poti fully turned open up to 330w net., 350w at the wall!

Screenshot_20180427-114320.png
 

boilingoil

Well-Known Member
Single row 22" strips are 23v . Double row and 44" are 46v . Which ones are you wanting to run ?
Personally, I prefer to run the single strips at no more than 1,200mA max, running higher tends to place a strain on the cooling ability of my heat sinks but I have a tendency to overcool or underdrive anything LED wise.
 

Artificia1

Active Member
I hope you have not ordered anything!
The perfect CV/CC driver for 6 EBgen2 strips would be an HLG-320H-42A because the strips need typ. 41v@1,4A according to the datasheet.
View attachment 4127854

The HLG-320H-42A has 7,65A while the -48A has only 6,7A.
In addition, you would force the driver to work in CC mode, since the 41v is not within the voltage controller capabilities. However, it remains at the 6.7A, so it only delivers about 275w (1,116A per strip). With the -42A model you get the full 7.65A, so each strip runs at 1.275A, probably even with 1.3A. With amperage poti fully turned open up to 330w net., 350w at the wall!

View attachment 4127856
Right on, I may just order that driver from digikey then. Does it need to be the B model? The A has a voltage from 38 - 45 while the B is 21 - 42.

Nevermind I see you recommended the A. Just got confused looking at the specs
 
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Artificia1

Active Member
Single row 22" strips are 23v . Double row and 44" are 46v . Which ones are you wanting to run ?
Personally, I prefer to run the single strips at no more than 1,200mA max, running higher tends to place a strain on the cooling ability of my heat sinks but I have a tendency to overcool or underdrive anything LED wise.
I'll probably put a box fan over the fixture to cool the lights. I saw that graying.geek does this and gets pretty good temps. Good looking out!
 
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