Endevor Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 So I'm looking to either incorporate a pre-made LED driver such as the LDDs or make my own. This is for a bluetooth lighting addition to my reef controller. I want to take a poll as to how much power all of you typically use in your LED systems.Most "powerful" LDDs I can find are LDD1500Lhttp://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/LDD-1500L/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtjWZqwEMjY%2f15ef9VyDXOsv1ZzF5MdqAY%3d and LDD1000H http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/LDD-1000H/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsuBfEaN9EhVZbx6WQ7SI2t The 1500L has 1500mAh, but can only supply up to 32V The 1000H has 1000mAh, but supplies up to 52V As far as I can tell, there's not a driver that combines the best of both, 1500mAh and 52V So I ask you DIY'ers, what current would you utilize the most with 8 channels of LEDs? Link to comment
evilc66 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Unless we are running specific LEDs that require high currents (like Cree XM-L, or some Bridgelux/Cree/PhilipsCitizen CoB arrays), most of us stick to a max of 1000mA. If you want a good chip to start from, look at some of the options Zetex has. Great datasheets, cheap, and pretty capable. Link to comment
Little Kay Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 How many cree 3w leds can run by a 12v 900ma driver? If so how to wire. Please. Link to comment
Endevor Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 How many cree 3w leds can run by a 12v 900ma driver? If so how to wire. Please. I would say 3-4. I'm running 3 off a 12V supply right now. For 3W LEDs, it's 3V for every LED. Amps are dependent on the LED color. Unless we are running specific LEDs that require high currents (like Cree XM-L, or some Bridgelux/Cree/PhilipsCitizen CoB arrays), most of us stick to a max of 1000mA. If you want a good chip to start from, look at some of the options Zetex has. Great datasheets, cheap, and pretty capable. I noticed most people use 1000mAh, even I do. I'm thinking of adding a way to choose how many amps you send to your LEDs, just need to figure it out. It may mess with the dimming capabilities though... Hmm... I think for now I'll end up sticking with LDDs since they're more user friendly to install until I develop my own driver. Zetex is definitely a good find. Thanks for the reference! Link to comment
MeepNand Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Red leds use a bit less voltage, around 2.2v each. I stick to 1000ma max for safety and because that's the max limit for dual-core violets. If you want 1500mah, meanwell plug-ins or the LM3421 are your best bet, although the second must be built by you. Link to comment
Endevor Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 I personally wouldn't play with much over 1000mAh, but I have been suggested to try and make something 1500mAh. I've been looking at the LM3421, but I'm hesitant on using it. From what I've been told, pushing too much amperage through an LED that only uses say 700mAh will shorten the LED's lifespan or even kill it. I was thinking of trying to have something that supplies the most voltage and amperage with something like a potentiometer to adjust the power, but I don't think that will work very will and still be able to dim.Still leaning to sticking with LDDs since they're the most used and users can easily choose what they want instead of being forced to use what I provide and if I want to at all put something like this out, user friendly is my primary goal. Link to comment
CrazyEyes Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Unless you're trying to punch through a fairly deep tank even a 700mA driver will usually be more than enough. I'd say stick with the H series LDD's, I highly doubt you'll ever need 1.5A. Link to comment
Endevor Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 1000 mAh tops I'm thinking too... Now the question lies, 32V or 56V? I know the drivers they sell on LEDgroupbuy are around 48V. The L series are smaller which means the board will be smaller, but the H series can supply more voltage and are easier to get by the typical user. It'll just be bigger. I can always make two different version of the board... Need to get to testing the Bluetooth signals... Link to comment
evilc66 Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 There is very little cost difference between the L's and H's, and you can run a much longer string on the H. The extra bulk is really the only downside. Link to comment
Endevor Posted March 29, 2014 Author Share Posted March 29, 2014 Sounds better.... Adding the power supply to the whole thing is going to make it big anyway, so I don't think the driver size will effect much. Link to comment
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