Lighting Matching drivers with cobs and efficiency

[2Stoned2Care]

Hi led diyers i have been doing a lot of research on cob diy lights and thought i would share a couple of articles that i found on the net.these are the best articles i have found to explain about matching drivers with cobs and also the setups used to get the best efficiency.hope these will help some of you out.



This chart shows how many COBs you can fit on each driver. Hopefully it will save DIYers some time or give them some ideas.

If the number of COBs is 3.93 for example, you could run 4 and you won't get the full drive current but you will get full driver efficiency. If the number is 4.1 that is a very good match, full driver efficiency and cost efficiency. (Driver efficiency is highest when the voltage load on the DC side is at or near the maximum)

The high voltage drivers work with the COBs wired in series. The high current drivers (HLG-320H and 600H) work with the COBs wired in parallel and those are good options if you want to run multiple COBs at high current. They are all dimmable.

And heres a rundown on different efficiency setups

@45.7%
(2) CXB3590 3500K CD 36V @ 2.5A (91.65W ea) $95
(2) HLN-80H-36A $90
183 dissipation W -> 99.37W heat
(2) Arctic 64 Plus CPU coolers $26
(2) lenses $8
83.63 PAR W covering 5 ft² = 749 PPFD
$219 = 2.62/PAR W

@49.7%
(2) CXB3590 3500K CD 72V @ 1.05A (75.5W ea) $95
(1) HLG-185H-C1400 (running at ~1050mA) $65
151 dissipation W -> 76W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 9120cm² -> (2) 10"X10" heatsink $75
or
active cooled heatsink 3040 cm² min -> 3.5" X 30" heatsink (for spread) $40 + 80mm fan+psu $10
or
(2) Arctic 64 Plus CPU coolers $26
(2) lenses $8
75 PAR W covering 4ft² = 840 PPFD
75 PAR W covering 5ft² = 672 PPFD
$243 = $3.24/PAR W passive cooled
$218 = $2.91/PAR W active cooled on bar heatsink
$194 = $2.59/PAR W active cooled on CPU coolers (uniform spread, best value?)

@ 56.3%
(4) CXB3590 3500K CD 36V @ 1.4A (49W ea) $190
(1) HLG-185H-C1400 $65
196 dissipation W -> 85.7W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 10284cm² -> 5.88" X 38" heatsink $72 (could split in 2 to improve uniformity/spread)
or
active cooled heatsink 3428cm² min -> 3.5"X36" heatsink (for spread) $45 +80mm fan +psu $10
(4) lenses $16
110.3 PAR W covering 6ft² = 824 PPFD
$311 = $3.07/PAR W passive cooled (great value point IMO, very efficient use of driver)
$326 = 2.96/PAR W active cooled

@61.2%
(5) CXB3590 3500K CD 36V @ 1.05A (35.5W ea) $237.50
(1) HLG-185H-C1050 $65
177.5 dissipation W -> 68.9W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 8268cm² -> 4.9"X36" $70
or
active cooled heatsink 2756cm² -> 3.5"X36" heatsink (for spread) $45 + 80mm fan + psu $10
(5) lenses $20
108.63 PAR W covering 6ft² =
$392.50 = $3.61/PAR W passive cooled
$377.50 = $3.48/PAR W active cooled

@64%
(8 ) CXB3590 3500K CD @ 700mA (23W ea) $380
(1) HLG-185H-C700 $65
184 dissipation W ->66W heat ->
passive cooled heatsink 7920cm² -> 4.23"X44" $68 (could split these into 2 or 4 units)
or
active cooled heatsink 2640cm² -> 3.5"X36" heatsink (for spread) $45 + 80mm fan + psu $10
active cooled heatsink 2640cm² -> 1.8"X44" heatsink $34 + 80mm fan + psu $10
(8 ) lenses $32
117.8 PAR W covering 6ft² = 879 PPFD
117.8 PAR w covering 7ft² = 754 PPFD
$545 = $4.63/PAR W passive cooled (great option if your area is high electrical cost, Hawaii, NYC, SoCal etc or if your grow is already heat limited and you want to increase yield without running more AC, ducting and fans)
$532 = $4.52/PAR W active cooled 3.5"
$521 = $4.43/PAR W active cooled 1.8"


So in summary, the higher the efficiency goes, the more appealing passive cooling is. Less wires, less moving parts, less points of failure for about the same cost.



i Hope some of you find this info helpful

 

[BigSm0]

Happy this was posted. It's actually my go to list for all my crazy ideas. Thank you very much 2 stoned many happy afn'ers now

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

i think passive cooling in that scenario refers to aluminum heatsink profiles, which are great and all, but aren't quite as good as a well made pin heatsink, especially if it's angled slightly and getting some air moving across (which, in a tent, it should). should also run you about as much as an active heatsink (arctic 11 or the like). if you're comfortable ordering from alibaba, kingbriteled is your best bet. otherwise, try and figure out who stocks mechatronix in your area, they seem to make high grade products and get decent reviews on that site.