What went wrong? HLG-320H-42B with 3x CXB3590 36V. HELP!

Vescovi

Vescovi

Active Member
Hi guys, this is my second DIY project. As you will soon realize, I'm no engineer or electrician, far from it. But I read you guys and try to do my best with what I got. In my first project, I used to run 6x CXB3590 36v @ 2.8 amps each. One driver per cob. I know, it is not that efficient, but I did not have a lot of COBs at the time.

My previous driver: I used to run one driver per CXB3590 36V 105W 2.8A


So the setup WAS two bars of 3x CXB3590 3500k CD @ 2.8A, a 6 cob array in a 4x4 space, so 600W(ish). I got decent readings on my apogee @ about 40cm from the bars, at the center, 1000/1200 umoles / 600 at the corners. No lens or reflectors...

Back then, I asked here for a suggestion to replace my 3 drivers per bar for one driver that would do the job for each 300w bar @ 2.8A (3x 3590). Somebody recommended the HLG-320H-42B, wiring 3 cobs in parallel per driver. So i went and bought a lot of MW320s 42B and proceeded to make these 3 cob bars with one driver per bar. But there is something way off...

The numbers I got on my apogee were considerably lower using this new setup (2x) HLG-320H-42B (one driver per 3 leds), so 6x CXB3590 36V in parallel, in the same 4x4. Around 600umoles (center @ 40cm from the bars).

Can you explain what is going on? Why the performance dropped that much?
I think I am not running them @ 2.8 using three COBs per driver. Because they are running cooler than they used to and less bright. The performance of this driver for 3 CXBs is not even close to what I used to have with the previous drivers pushing a single cob @ 2.8A 105W.

New Driver: Now I am running 3 cobs per driver.


My bars: One MW 320H with 3x 3590 36v per bar



With the information above, can you help me calculate my old and new PPFD numbers?
I am trying to find what went wrong, or what am I doing wrong.

I have more COBS available, 20 or so to spare... But I would like to still use 3 or at most 4 COBS per bar/driver to get the same results if possible.

Can you guys help me?!
 
Vescovi

Vescovi

Active Member
BOBBY_G said:
suggestion: get an ammeter to more easily troubleshoot the drivers
Click to expand...
*Edit* I will measure and get back to you, now I know how to do it...
I have at least 4x 320H performing the same. So I don't think the drivers are causing this.
I have 10 more drivers or so of the same model... 320s
 
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robincnn

robincnn

Well-Known Member
Not an ideal choice of driver. I would have went with 4 cobs series on hlg-320H-C2100
Or at least a A type driver so that I could limit the voltage so that it would not let current t to single cob exceed 3A

Earlier you had 2.8A x3.

Now you are at 7.65/3
2.55A x3

You are at 10% less power than before.
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
7.65 amps in parallel will provide about 2.55 amps per cob.

Assuming the drivers are outputting correctly...

6 at 2.91 amps = 855 average PPFD in 4x4'
6 at 2.55 amps = 790 average PPFD "

If you add 2 cobs to each bar it should raise the PPFD to about 900.
 
Vescovi

Vescovi

Active Member
robincnn said:
Not an ideal choice of driver. I would have went with 4 cobs series on hlg-320H-C2100
Or at least a A type driver so that I could limit the voltage so that it would not let current t to single cob exceed 3A

Earlier you had 2.8A x3.

Now you are at 7.65/3
2.55A x3

You are at 10% less power than before.
Click to expand...
What if I use 4 Cobs per bar and use two 240H-42B to push them in parallel? Not that efficient? What sort of PPFD for a 4x4?

Another question, adding a fourth cob to the 320H would cover this 10% loss I had?
 
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BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
if youre not married to external dimming a 36A driver would do you better than a 42B

youd have 8.9A @ 39V available per datasheet (actually more like 9.7A per test report)

http://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=hlg-320h

but you need the A vs the B to get the voltage you need in a 36V constant voltage driver

and you should be able to use the pot to limit the voltage (which effectively limits the current per cob as an extra fail safe)
 
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Vescovi

Vescovi

Active Member
BOBBY_G said:
if youre not married to external dimming a 36A driver would do you better than a 42B

youd have 8.9A @ 39V available per datasheet (actually more like 9.7A per test report)

http://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=hlg-320h

but you need the A vs the B to get the voltage you need in a 36V constant voltage driver

and you should be able to use the pot to limit the voltage (which effectively limits the current per cob as an extra fail safe)
Click to expand...

I have at my disposal only the 320H-42B and the 240H-42B. Buttloads of them actually.

What sort of ppfd I'd get using 10 cobs in a 4x4 using 2x 320H-42B.
That would cover my losses right?
 
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