Max Cable distance for DC input for QB setup?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:11 pm
Hi folks
thanks for all the posts - so much info on this forum that is helpful!
I am looking for a knowledge check really. I have been afraid of electricity all my life but recently got into putting LED's together and love it! I am still learning big time. And so to my question(s).
I want to run my Meanwell HLG 240-C2100 remotely from my 2x QB288 boards to minimise heat in my grow room.
1. What is the max distance I can run my 18AWG solid core wires? Also, to facilitate lowering/raising the lights, can I safely join the solid core to more flexible stranded copper/silicone of the same gauge?
2. Would dimming the C2100 have the same effect on heat output from the diodes as switching to a lower amperage driver (say C1050?).
3. Have I got the right amount of lights to give me roughly 800 PPFD (my calculations, via calculator at HLG, say yes)
Money is not a huge issue, so I don't mind getting more boards/new drivers if it helps me keep the heat down. Currently I have 8 boards covering my space and 4 drivers. My space is 14 feet long by 2 feet wide (28 ft²) so max I only need to go 4 metres or so (13/14 feet)
I found at Calculator.net a nice voltage drop calculator, which seems to indicate less than 0.29% voltage drop, but I am not 100% sure I am inputting the right info or even if this is a significant drop.
Thanks for any help!!
thanks for all the posts - so much info on this forum that is helpful!
I am looking for a knowledge check really. I have been afraid of electricity all my life but recently got into putting LED's together and love it! I am still learning big time. And so to my question(s).
I want to run my Meanwell HLG 240-C2100 remotely from my 2x QB288 boards to minimise heat in my grow room.
1. What is the max distance I can run my 18AWG solid core wires? Also, to facilitate lowering/raising the lights, can I safely join the solid core to more flexible stranded copper/silicone of the same gauge?
2. Would dimming the C2100 have the same effect on heat output from the diodes as switching to a lower amperage driver (say C1050?).
3. Have I got the right amount of lights to give me roughly 800 PPFD (my calculations, via calculator at HLG, say yes)
Money is not a huge issue, so I don't mind getting more boards/new drivers if it helps me keep the heat down. Currently I have 8 boards covering my space and 4 drivers. My space is 14 feet long by 2 feet wide (28 ft²) so max I only need to go 4 metres or so (13/14 feet)
I found at Calculator.net a nice voltage drop calculator, which seems to indicate less than 0.29% voltage drop, but I am not 100% sure I am inputting the right info or even if this is a significant drop.
Thanks for any help!!
