i am starting to get the hang of LED's and will be adding a 63 inch actinic strip of Luxeon RB's from steves bin with some meanwell 48 60d's dimmable drivers. My question for you is what is the max amount of LED's per driver that i can run? i was thinking of having 15 per driver running at 600 to 700 mA. i do not know how to do the math yet and have a feeling i would be pushing something to far. can someone tell me if i am wrong? thanks!
Calling all LED know it all's. i have a ? for you
- Thread starter kyle1284
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Telefonica007
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i believe you can run 8-14 leds per driver. do a search online... i think Rapid Led has specs.
DerekFF
Active Member
8-14 is what rapid recommends. I tried with 8 and it caused problems and I've found multiple others with the same issue (running minimum # of LEDs per driver) 10-14 is a good range. I'd ask rapid directly though if they have used more than 14 on 1 48-60d driver
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Let's do the math...
I'm assuming that you are wiring the leds in series (important point)
From Steve's LEDs : Luxeon RB Forward Voltage is 2.75V @ 700ma
From Meanwell ELN 60-48 d/s : LED Operation voltage = 24v to 48v
So, given that you need to leave a little voltage headroom, ie. don't max out at 48v, go for say 45v...
then theoretically, 45/2.75 = 16.3, so 16 leds max per string. I think you would be wise to limit the string to 14 or 15 leds as Vf can vary a little from the stated 2.75v value.
Keep in mind that with the eln 48-60 you can adjust the voltage and current (more details on the datasheet). You will have to reduce the current from 1.3A to 0.7A max or you will blow your leds very quickly. Best way to do this is to turn the current all the way down (using SVR2) before turning the string on. With a meter in series measuring the current then you can very carefully increase the amps until you get to the desired point. Be extra careful with SVR1 and SVR2 when you adjust them as they are very sensitive and are easily broken. RapidLED has a nice tutorial video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM06z8bmViM
Good luck !
I'm assuming that you are wiring the leds in series (important point)
From Steve's LEDs : Luxeon RB Forward Voltage is 2.75V @ 700ma
From Meanwell ELN 60-48 d/s : LED Operation voltage = 24v to 48v
So, given that you need to leave a little voltage headroom, ie. don't max out at 48v, go for say 45v...
then theoretically, 45/2.75 = 16.3, so 16 leds max per string. I think you would be wise to limit the string to 14 or 15 leds as Vf can vary a little from the stated 2.75v value.
Keep in mind that with the eln 48-60 you can adjust the voltage and current (more details on the datasheet). You will have to reduce the current from 1.3A to 0.7A max or you will blow your leds very quickly. Best way to do this is to turn the current all the way down (using SVR2) before turning the string on. With a meter in series measuring the current then you can very carefully increase the amps until you get to the desired point. Be extra careful with SVR1 and SVR2 when you adjust them as they are very sensitive and are easily broken. RapidLED has a nice tutorial video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM06z8bmViM
Good luck !
that is the answer i was looking for! thank you!!!
i have been watching countless YouTube videos about wiring and adjustments on this particualr driver. Over and over again people have been talking about that little plastic screw breaking. I am going to be oh so gentle with that screw.
For those following sorry i was not specific enough at the start of the thread. I am going to be ADDING this to 3x400 watt radium’s and super actinic vhos as supplemental lighting to help with the colors. I am a firm believer that the more blue you have under 450nm the better. I witnessed the colors that LED's can give you at Quoc's house and have done some extensive research into the Philips Luxeon ES ROYAL BLUE 3 Watt LEDs and the they are producing between 440-450nm (447nm average) while the cree out of the best bin produce between 450-455. The halides' and VHOs' are great for growth and color but i want that extra POP out of my "higher end" corals and i know those Royal Blues will assist with that.
yesterday i ordered the heat sink from heatsinkusa . com 1.813" wide and 63" long. this will fit inside the canopy perfectly with a couple of couple inches to spare on both sides. The strip will be placed in the front only hanging down 4 inches from the canopy and will be angled 45 degrees towards the corals. Not only will this set up be able to be brighter/more intense than reefbrite strips i will be able to dim it, program it (in the future if i wanted to), customize it by adding different colors (if i wanted to), add/remove optics, replace LED's that burn out, cut the heat sink in half if my demands change, i could go on and on about the benefits but my #1 reason for doing this instead of ReefBrites is $. it is going to be 50$-65$ cheaper to DIY and i get to play with electricity!!! No Brainer!!
Today i will be ordering the LED's from Stevesleds . com and will be posting the build as it goes along. The wife does not know about this build so i have to spread out the orders for different items from different websites every couple days.
For all you Nano guys i have acquired a 6 Gallon Fluvual Edge that I will be a office tank and that i will be retro fitting with a custom 8 led setup. The tank is cycling now so it will be a month or so before that build....
DerekFF
Active Member
Glad I could help !
I think you are on the right track with the royal blues for 'pop', but I would also recommend that you add 'true violets' as these add incredible fluorescence too (405-430nm range). Steve's has these too, but also check out LEDGroupBuy as they have slightly different wavelengths. Not that you would, but don't mix different leds on the same string if you can avoid it. It will be the same calculation for LEDs per driver as before, just using the appropriate Vf for the led you choose.
I think you are on the right track with the royal blues for 'pop', but I would also recommend that you add 'true violets' as these add incredible fluorescence too (405-430nm range). Steve's has these too, but also check out LEDGroupBuy as they have slightly different wavelengths. Not that you would, but don't mix different leds on the same string if you can avoid it. It will be the same calculation for LEDs per driver as before, just using the appropriate Vf for the led you choose.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Always consider the Max Vf
Generally the harder you drive the LEDs the higher their Vf.
The Luxion Cool White has a lower Vf than the Cree XT-E
48/3.05=15.73
I would do 14 to be safe. If your Meanwell driver blinks its circuit protection is acting and you have to either raise or lower the total Vf of the LED String...
When using the ELN 60-48D Make sure you adjust well
I know I'm hitting a pinata with an internal wasp nest by saying this but my research based on published biologist leads me to the 420-470nm range is best for growth 450nm being the sweet spot. As far as looks personal experience is <455nm gives great colour pop no difference between 450 and 440nm to the human eye.
I will say 440nm is fine but is that bin typical for the Royal Blue Luxion ES?
LED Manufacturers are not interested in Coral or the needs of Reef Keepers. Its by chance the 450nm excites remote phosphors best....Thus the Royal Blue....
Bill
Generally the harder you drive the LEDs the higher their Vf.
The Luxion Cool White has a lower Vf than the Cree XT-E
48/3.05=15.73
I would do 14 to be safe. If your Meanwell driver blinks its circuit protection is acting and you have to either raise or lower the total Vf of the LED String...
When using the ELN 60-48D Make sure you adjust well
I know I'm hitting a pinata with an internal wasp nest by saying this but my research based on published biologist leads me to the 420-470nm range is best for growth 450nm being the sweet spot. As far as looks personal experience is <455nm gives great colour pop no difference between 450 and 440nm to the human eye.
I will say 440nm is fine but is that bin typical for the Royal Blue Luxion ES?
LED Manufacturers are not interested in Coral or the needs of Reef Keepers. Its by chance the 450nm excites remote phosphors best....Thus the Royal Blue....
Bill
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