Controller for DIY led light

[Galvano]

Yes but HLG doesn't provide cutoff to my knowledge, while the ELG does (they each cost 45USD) - So about 150USD for the setup + the refugium

63USD for one HLG-240H-36

IMO in your scenario neither HLGs nor ELGs are cost-effective. I'd consider a 48V PSU up to an HRP-600-48 and combine it with one LDD-1000H per each 3-LED-line. In a freshwater tank in my office's waiting room I run an HRPG, which furthermore provides a 5v-line to power my controller.

 

[Galvano]

Ok so with 1A LDD if I take a 48V power supply, it means I can drive 4 leds for each strings, and I need 11 LDD to drive 44 leds. Correct?
So eleven channels to be controlled (pretty hard...)
In my setup I have Blue/ RB/ CW and UV leds... that why I was wondering to go "simple" on channels and to group colors:
CW all together
Blue all together
RB + UV

There's nothing wrong with connecting a single PWM controller output line with multiple LDDs.

 

[j2m-marley]

OK for the LDD, I do understand now if they can be connected to a single pwm controller.
However I don't understand with 12V leds if you say 3-leds-line: gives me 36V instead of 48? I missed something

 

[j2m-marley]

Sorry I need to get some sleep now. But very thankful for the time and the help you provided in this. I will look forward these option tomorrow.
Cheers

 

[Galvano]

However I don't understand with 12V leds if you say 3-leds-line: gives me 36V instead of 48? I missed something

LDDs aren't 100% efficient. There's a voltage drop from the in- to the output.
For the MW LDD-H step-down driver that means:

• Input voltage 9 - 56 VDC
• Output LED string voltage 2 - 52 VDC

And your COB LED arrays aren't run at exactly 12V. Read their specs. For 1000 mA they may need 12,5V or more.

Thus you won't be able to run a 3 x 12 = 36V LED chain with a 36V PSU.

Good night

 

[j2m-marley]

LDDs aren't 100% efficient. There's a voltage drop from the in- to the output.
For the MW LDD-H step-down driver that means:

• Input voltage 9 - 56 VDC
• Output LED string voltage 2 - 52 VDC

And your COB LED arrays aren't run at exactly 12V. Read their specs. For 1000 mA they may need 12,5V or more.

Thus you won't be able to run a 3 x 12 = 36V LED chain with a 36V PSU.

Good night

Dear Galvano,
I just received and installed my coralux storm with meanwell 48V
however, my led come with heatsink and 12V fan mounted in parallel with the leds
Since yesterday, 3 fan have melted. I assume that the voltage is over the fan capacity.
I think about removing the fan from the circuit and install them on a separate power supply
Any advice plz?

 

[Galvano]

Different from an LED, which requires a driver that limits current, your fan has to be driven by a power source that limits voltage, where here a maximum of 12 VDC are allowed. Connecting the fan directly with a PSU putting out much more than that will nuke it, which you obviously experienced.

I see two strategies:

The easiest way would be to chain four (48 V / 4 = 12 V) or five (48 V / 5 = 9.6 V) 12 V fans (plus to minus ...), connect both ends of that chain with your 48 V PSU and then measure the voltage drop on each of the fans to get sure that there's no relevant upwards deviation from the 12 V limit.

Or you obtain a DC-DC step-down (buck) converter like that eBay offer to get 12 V from your 48 V PSU and connect each of your up to maybe six 90 mA fans individually with that 700 mA converter. You may also have a look at this module. Of course a separate 12 V wall wart of an adequate amperage should also do the trick.

 

[j2m-marley]

Different from an LED, which requires a driver that limits current, your fan has to be driven by a power source that limits voltage, where here a maximum of 12 VDC are allowed. Connecting the fan directly with a PSU putting out much more than that will nuke it, which you obviously experienced.

I see two strategies:

The easiest way would be to chain four (48 V / 4 = 12 V) or five (48 V / 5 = 9.6 V) 12 V fans (plus to minus ...), connect both ends of that chain with your 48 V PSU and then measure the voltage drop on each of the fans to get sure that there's no relevant upwards deviation from the 12 V limit.

Or you obtain a DC-DC step-down (buck) converter like that eBay offer to get 12 V from your 48 V PSU and connect each of your up to maybe six 90 mA fans individually with that 700 mA converter. You may also have a look at this module. Of course a separate 12 V wall wart of an adequate amperage should also do the trick.

OK thanks. I have spare 12 v meanwell power supply from my previous setup. I can chain the fan in parallel and connect to a timer