Max Cable distance for DC input for QB setup?

[Fat Freddy's Cat]

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!!

[Welight]

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!!

1.stranded wire carries more current than solid wire due to lower resistance. so your issue if you join the two means at the join you have an effective resistor, my view is use stranded wire throughout
2. watts is watts, yes dimming to 1050ma on a 2100 gives the same result and efficacy improves
3. you appear to have the right amount of lights to meet your target, the only issue I see is light vs canopy coverage in terms of uniformity
cheers

[Fat Freddy's Cat]

Thank you! - Mind eased... and decisions to make on wiring

[Cosmicbrn420]

Just make sure you tin the ends of your wire. I run hlg 240 2100 out side of 6 ft tall tent with stranded wire for whole light