Lighting Driver Question

[Loud Pipes]

I'm getting ready to order my drivers. I'll be using 4 citizen 1818 cobs. I'm looking at running 2 of these drivers https://cobkits.com/product/meanwell-hlg-185h-48a-driver/ from cob kits. Cob kits claim I can run 3 cobs@75W with one driver however it only puts out 48 volts. That kind of goes against everything I've been trying to learn about drivers. Will 2 of these drivers power my 1818's?. Pipes

 

[BigSm0]

I'm getting ready to order my drivers. I'll be using 4 citizen 1818 cobs. I'm looking at running 2 of these drivers https://cobkits.com/product/meanwell-hlg-185h-48a-driver/ from cob kits. Cob kits claim I can run 3 cobs@75W with one driver however it only puts out 48 volts. That kind of goes against everything I've been trying to learn about drivers. Will 2 of these drivers power my 1818's?. Pipes

I know it sounds wrong but Bobby g the owner of cobkits is one of the most talented and dedicated cob guys around. If he says it will work it will.

 

[nudd]

Pipes I don't think that 200w driver would drive 3 cobs at 225w (3x75) with that driver you would have to wire the cobs in parallel not series
atb nudd

 

[Loud Pipes]

Pipes I don't think that 200w driver would drive 3 cobs at 225w (3x75) with that driver you would have to wire the cobs in parallel not series
atb nudd

I know but that's what he's claiming at cobkits-3@75.3w{226w]. I received an e-mail from and they claim a max output of 220w even tho the spec sheet on them show a max output 187w. I must be missing something. I'm a total electronic illiterate. For now I'm only going to run 2 -1818's off of each driver with possibly adding another cob to each driver if I need to. All of my parts are ordered. I'll be alright for now. Thanks. Pipes

I know it sounds wrong but Bobby g the owner of cobkits is one of the most talented and dedicated cob guys around. If he says it will work it will.

Thanks again Smo. My parts are all ordered and you should be done answering all of my ignorant questions. You have been a big help. I'm really looking forward to starting tkis little build. Pipes

 

[BigSm0]

Wish I could have been more help. We just released the autocob here on afn and it's taken up a huge part of my life. https://www.autoflower.org/threads/autocob-55-watt-cob-led-grow-light.56994/

That's going to be some serious wattage through those cobs. Nudd is right about the wiring. When dividing the amperage they need to be run in paralell. +to- from cob to cob.

I would do one driver with 3 for now and buy 2 more to complete the other light. The wattage will be a little to much for the heatsinks. If you do run just 2 per driver I would keep a fan close to the heatsinks.

 

[Loud Pipes]

Wish I could have been more help. We just released the autocob here on afn and it's taken up a huge part of my life. https://www.autoflower.org/threads/autocob-55-watt-cob-led-grow-light.56994/

That's going to be some serious wattage through those cobs. Nudd is right about the wiring. When dividing the amperage they need to be run in paralell. +to- from cob to cob.

I would do one driver with 3 for now and buy 2 more to complete the other light. The wattage will be a little to much for the heatsinks. If you do run just 2 per driver I would keep a fan close to the heatsinks.

I don't have to run 75 w through each cob but according to the info on the 1818 they claim best efficiency at 90w or higher. You have to remember-I know nothingI can dial it back. And Yup- I plan on running 2 fans across the heatsinks one from each end of the light and I always have a lot of air movement anyhow. For now I'm only going to run 2 cobs off of each driver. I checked out your new endeavor. Looks good and the best of luck to youPipes

 

[BigSm0]

Forgot the driver has a dimmer. I would get one of the plug in watt meters and dial them down between 50-75w perfect! The efficiency quote from his website is comparing efficiency to the Cree 3590. All cobs are more efficient at lower wattages. These match the Cree up to 90 watts then really start to beat them.

 

[Loud Pipes]

Yup-I'm aware of that. The drivers are going to be remotely mounted for easy access. I have one of those kill-a watt thingies and what you recommend is xactly what I planned on doingPipes

 

[BigSm0]

Perfect. That's going to be a very very nice setup. Dimmable and also the option to crank them way up if you need. I do think you'll be more than satasfied even at 50%.

 

[Loud Pipes]

This is the reply that I received from CobKits about the driver in question https://cobkits.com/product/meanwell-hlg-185h-48a-driver/
"They run about 220W max tuned all the way up. Data sheets are down rated. If you go to Mean Well's site you can click on the actual test reports and see that driver does 4.25A @ up to 53.5V which is fine as long as you have any sort of ventilation at all i.e. not mounted in another insulated box"
So apparently this driver will put out more snoose than the numbers initially seem to indicate so I'm satisfied with my choice. I was going to start building today but my parts didn't ship until yesterday. I'm a little disappointed but more impatient than anything. Pipes