Going to try a LED build. Any advice is appreciated

cryptics

cryptics

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/387057/going-to-try-a-led-build-any-advice-is-appreciated#post_3403477
To the o.p. I'm sorry for taking your thread off course man. I think you'll be fine with just 4 drivers. Nothing to be overly concerned about as you haven't crossed the threashold just yet.
This is in no way off topic. This is actually what I was hoping for. Getting the most information as i can to make an informed decision.
acrylic51,
Would that be two drivers per 12 x 8.8'' heatsink or could I run the blues for both on one and the whites for both on the other? Also if i put a solid sheet of acrylic across the front will I lose much in the way of PAR? Is it better to use tempered glass or acrylic?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
You would have a driver with blues and 1 for whites!!!! Each controllable from each other and dimmable and can easily be paired to work with all controllers including the Apex and Profilux controllers.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Optical clarity of acrylic is superior to glass, but as with glass or acrylic if it's dirty will hinder penetration. You won't suffer PAR loss!!
 
cryptics

cryptics

Member
I have a reefkeeper controlling my moonlights and chiller. I would probably hook it up to that. Do you know what size HLG driver I would need? Really a noob with electricity
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Sorry out on the road for Big Brown, so I can't pull the list of drivers and your LED specs at the same time, but when I get in this evening I will get you the info!!!!
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/387057/going-to-try-a-led-build-any-advice-is-appreciated#post_3403479
Thanks Corey!!!! I tried all ways to tap dance around Kcress on these issues. Again I had went so far as to ask about putting them on dedicated circuits!!!! He also advised my neighbors could reap the havoc these drivers can cause as well. Look forward to the links!!!! Thought you were at lunch!!!!!

Well a dedicated circuit for just the lights would be beneficial in the sense that it wouldn't be running any of the other equipment that you had on that circuit into an early grave.
For anyone interested here are some links below. The ELN 60-48's are switch mode power supplies. An individual ELN has an in rush current of 60 amps on cold start up and a frequency range of 47-63 Hz. Harmonic frequencies above the fundamental 60Hz are when the "skinning effect" begins to come into play. Now you're always going to have some skinning effect going on in your home no matter what, that's just a fact. No electrical wiring lasts for ever. But you begin pilling these things up and it starts to become more serious concern as you will see. Computer, communications techs and other industries who use switching supplies have known about these issues and have had to deal with and compensate for them for a while now as technology grows and we use it in new ways. So I see no reason why using a bunch of these things in your home would not eventual lead to some of the same issues that other industries have known about and seen for years. If anybody sees any fundamental flaws in my reasoning or understanding please feel free to let me know.
Here is some good info on understanding harmonics
http://www.psihq.com/iread/harmonic.htm
Here's a link explaining how switch mode power supplies work, but remember that ELN's do not have PFC (power factor correction)..
http://www.smps.us/power-supply.html
ELN 60 data sheet
http://www.meanwell.com/search/eln-60/eln-60-spec.pdf
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Thanks Corey!!!!! I actually have the link to MeanWell's site iconed on my phone, but can't link it in a thread while out on the road.....Driver suggestion is very good.....Not sure on the availability though....That might take a few phone calls again.
 
cryptics

cryptics

Member
Yeah i believe that is all I need. Right now I have a Reefkeeper light so I need to upgrade it to Elite first. I picked up the controller from RapidLED for the meantime.
 
cryptics

cryptics

Member
Ok going to start the build with the ELN drivers but replace them as soon as I can find the other drivers (ohh and funds allow). Got the heatsinks in the mail today so started the build. Here are some picks
Heatsink


The first heatsink laid out. Led's thermal greased and screwed to the heatsink.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Nice! Now when it's all done, you won't need the chiller and your wife won't divorce you! LOL
You're not running that many of the drivers, I think you'll be fine. I also plan on upgrading eventually, it's just not on the top of my list right now. I haven't gotten "the flash" so I think I'm okay for some time.
 
cryptics

cryptics

Member
I am sure I will be ok since i am only running 4 drivers and I am splitting them between two dedicated circuits but still would feel safer so i will eventually do it. I can always resell these on MR. Hopefully I can retire the chiller my office is a sauna.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/387057/going-to-try-a-led-build-any-advice-is-appreciated/20#post_3406185
I am sure I will be ok since i am only running 4 drivers and I am splitting them between two dedicated circuits but still would feel safer so i will eventually do it. I can always resell these on MR. Hopefully I can retire the chiller my office is a sauna.

You'll be fine, 4 is really not a concern at all especially across 2 circuits. Everybody should add up the current being drawn of all their equipment or electronics that's being used so they know when their over loading the circuit or not. It just makes good sense. Your lay out looks good.
 
cryptics

cryptics

Member
ok guys got sidetracked for a few days but got one wired up and started to hook up a driver. I heard I should manually set the driver back to 700-900 milli amps. I have the rapidled multimeter and can not figure out how to measure this. Can someone describe this in detail for me?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I remember having a conversation awhile ago with Corey about the subject matter, but if my memory serves me correct the HLG's can't be opened and adjusted as the ELN's....Corey correct me if I'm wrong or misunderstood you.....
 
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