Lighting Can you underload a driver?

[Ozone69]

Maybe a noob question, but I haven't been able to find much around the web yet so figured I'd toss it out there. Does anyone know if you can run less than the total possible number of COB's on a driver?

The reason I'm wondering is this. I was wondering if it would be possible to take some single pole, double throw switches and use them as a bypass switch for individual COB's in a chain. One position the current is routed through the COB normally, other position it connects to the next item wired in series (next COB or back to driver depending on position in the chain). So if I'm only running one or two plants under my lamp in the closet I could turn off one or two COB's out of the four total to cut down on power usage, heat, etc...

Thoughts?

 

[Atulip]

As long as all circuits are in the voltage range of the driver, which means probably 3 cobs minimum. I believe you also don't want an open circuit with AC power to the driver.

Something like this?

Though resistor/pot dimming also has the added benefit of more efficiency as you dial it down. (Lsd driver replacements should be coming soon)

 

[Ozone69]

Yea, that is pretty much what I was picturing. Except it would be nice to be able to put a switch on each individual COB. I think the ideal way to do that would be to get a smaller driver and run each light of it's own, but was hoping it might be able to work with a single. I kind of thought there would be a minimum number, since many drivers do also list a minimum voltage, but figured I'd check.

My dimmable replacement driver sounds like it's on it's way, so I'll have that option soon(ish).

Thanks!