LED buckpuck vs drivers

[AngelAddict]

OK, I've been doing tons of research, read a lot of the "holy grail" thread and still have quite a few questions. My biggest one is the difference between using buckpucks or drivers? Is there an advantage with one or the other? Price? Reliability? Efficiency?
The write up thread usese Buckpucks,but I see most people using meanwell drivers? I don't care about dimming, so what's best? Buckpucks seem easier to use, just need a powersupply and a plug, the drivers need a wallwart, is that correct? Thanks for the help, be very interesting to see the results.

 

[TheFishMan65]

IIRC buckpucks and meanwells come out to be about the same price per LED when looking at total cost. Meanwells can be bought for fixed current so no wall wart is needed. IF hey are too bright or dim then you will need to add or delete LEDs since there is no dimming option. Buckpucks can be bought as dimmable.

I think people are using meanwells just because they are slightly easier to wire. No power supply and a longer string of LEDs.

The cheapest option is DIYing your LEDs.

What is the size of your tank? That may help decide.

 

[vietcu]

Not to jihack the the thread. But I was wondering the same thing about the diff between a Meanwell and Buckpuck. I have a 75 gallon tank, thinking of doing either 48 or 60 lights. Leaning more towards the 60. I planned it out and I would have had to use 10 buckpucks to run 60 LEDs. I planned on doing a split heat sink, with each holding 30 LEDs. Still researching so not exactly sure how to go about getting what I need just yet. Recommendation would be appreciated, and sorry but didn't mean to hijack your thread. But I did have the same exact question as you AngelAddict.

 

[jerryz]

@fisman - My only comment is I wonder how I set the current level on the mean well fixtures I've buit so far then and all of them are dimmable on top of that. I love misinformation.

 

[AngelAddict]

Thanks for the reply, no hijacks here, were all here to learn.

I have a solana 20" cube that I definitely want to run LEDs, probably 24 will suffice. I also have several other tanks 120g, 125g, 220g that I could light. I'm only using the 125g (soon to upgrade to the 220g) as a FOWLR, and was thinking of running 3 pendants of 12 LEDs each.

So the drivers are easier to wire? I was under the impression the buckpucks were. I'm following the "LED write up" thread and it shows buckpucks, so I don't exactly know how to use meanwell drivers. If I decide to light my 6ft tank, I should probably use drivers. You can buy non dimable (easier to wire) drivers that don't need a wallwart? Where's the best place to buy all this? I know ledsupply has mostly everything but I am on a budget. If that's the case, its just as simple as plugging a meanwell into the wall and wiring it to the LEDs? Is there a good write up on doing it this way like there is with buckpucks? Thanks for your help!

 

[jeffs86GT]

As far as the walwarts go. The buckpucks require them and the meanwells don't. So basically if you buy the meanwell it already has power supply built into it. Just plug it into the wall and connect up your LED's. The buckpuck will require you to attach the correct power supply (walwart) to it and then you wire the led's to the buckpuck.

hope that helps.

Jeff

 

[AngelAddict]

Will the Mean Well LPC-60-1050 (constant current, 3-14 x 3w) driver for my XP-G whites and the LPC-35-700w (constant current, 3-12 x 3w) driver for my XR-E royals work? I'd run 12 royals / 12 whites. Will I need a wallwart or can I just wire up an 2 prong plug to them? What size wire do I use to run to the wall and to the LEDs / inbetween the LEDs? Thanks for everyone's help, I can't wait to get going on this project. Once I have all the details ironed out and all my research, I'm going to order everything including my soldering station! Gotta love DIY!

 

[AngelAddict]

Just saw your post after mine. So will those meanwells work? The easier the better, sounds like drivers is the way to go. Thanks for your help!

 

[TheFishMan65]

@fisman - My only comment is I wonder how I set the current level on the mean well fixtures I've buit so far then and all of them are dimmable on top of that. I love misinformation.

Please tell me what I misinformed I don't own meanwell and try and pass on what I read. Did I get it wrong that they all have the internal adjustment; I really thought some left this out, but maybe I am wrong please let me know). What I was trying to say is that some don't need the extra wall wart because they don't have dim +/-. Is that part correct. I really think this is a definition issue even meanwell says dimming is optional for ELN 30 and 60s.

"¢ With optional dimming function
"¢ UL / CUL / CE certified
"¢ Adjustable output voltage and current level [this is what jerry meant by dimming I think]
"¢ Suitable for indoor LED lighting,
LED electrical display and general applications
with high IP requirement

But it does look like the ELNs can adjust the output to a max. So I would like to retract my statement the the meanwells will have problem in an on/off (no surise to sunset) if they are too bright or dim.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Angel, maybe I was right, I did not see in a quick read of the LPC specification where they had the ability to be turned up or down with an internal adjustment. Which means if they are too bright you will have to move them further from the tank and too dim closer. I think that would be the only adjustment with those.

Here are some meanwell links that I follow (maybe not well enough) that may help. Sorry I don't have time to reread and see how well they apply, but they all have some good information.
Meanwell and how to use it - for Idiots like me
How to dim a Meanwell ELN-60-48D...
Meanwell Wiring - Need some help
WIRING the ELN-60-48D
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847650

Jeff, I don't use buckpucks either . I thought for dimming they needed a potentiometer (if you got that option). And they need a heavy duty (multiple amp) 24 volt supply for supply rather than a lower power (< 1amp) wall wart.

Angel, part of the problem is that there are multiple versions of buckpuck and meanwells and it is hard to keep them all straight. Every one is probably real good about answering question about what they used, but everyone's rig is a little different.

I think for 20x20 24 LEDs would be fine. Just comments so you can think some more. The XP-G are 30% brighter than the XR-E and you are also planning on driving them at a higher currents. SO your tank may be to white. The LPC-35-1050 only has an output voltage of 30 volts max. So IIRC the XP-G rung 3 volt at 1 amp so you would only be able to put 10 LEDs in the string.

[EDIT]
Go to the DIY LEDs - The Write Up page fifty second and third post contain a summary that maybe helpful.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1678127&page=150

 

[jeffs86GT]

Jeff, I don't use buckpucks either . I thought for dimming they needed a potentiometer (if you got that option). And they need a heavy duty (multiple amp) 24 volt supply for supply rather than a lower power (< 1amp) wall wart.

I haven't used either of them yet just have been reading. Your right that the buckpucks need a multi amp ps...I guess I worded it wrong and really should have said with the buckpuck you need a seperate power supply and with the meanwells its already part of it.

Jeff

 

[TheFishMan65]

As I said above there is a lot to keep straight. That is why I ask when I seem something I don't remember. And word choice can make a big difference. I actually started down the buckpuck route and got 2. I tried hooking one up and it just barely glows, either I damaged or I am going to have to look up the dimming controls. I ended up going the DIY drive way $40 for 48 LEDs split into two channels. Still need a big power supply, but I found a good one at a reasonable price on ebay. So ask me about the CAT4101 and I'll probably have the right answers

 

[g8gxp]

Just to nitpick at some things. Both buckpucks and meanwells are drivers and they are not the only types of drivers out there, although they are the most common right now in our hobby. There is a thread out for a DIY driver if you are feeling ambitious.

Both buckpucks and meanwells come in dimmable and non-dimmable versions. I do not have knowledge of the buckpucks, but for the Meanwells the LPC's are the non-dimmable and the ELN are the dimmable drivers. Buckpucks require a power source (i.e. wallwart), meanwells do not require this, you just need a power cord.

Buckpucks can run 6 cree xre's, MW's can run 12 possible 13. The dimmable MW drivers have internal potentiometers for voltage and current, and you will also need to wire the dimming leads to a voltage source in order to control dimming from a reef controller.

It's not available on this site, but if you do a search for Ultimate LED Guide, it's a good guide on differences in driver types.

 

[HeneryH]

MW's can run 12 possible 13.

... if you use a -48 and wire serially. They can run 21 if you use a -24 and wire three parallel strings of 7 each.

This gets into the whole serial/parallel debate which should not side-track this thread.

 

[AngelAddict]

OK, lots of info here. So which driver should I get for 12 XR-E blues and 12 XP-G whites? Will the LPC's work? I don't care about dimming. I read that meanwell wiring up thread and most of it is about the dimming pots which doesn't refer to me. I have a good idea on how to wire up the driver, especially if I only need to have a plug for it, no wallwart. But What gauge/type wire do I use wiring both sides up? Thanks everyone.

 

[TheFishMan65]

I thin I would go with 2 ELN-60-48. This will allow for setting the current with an internal adjustment (this must be done before you turn them on the first time). This is what most people are doing. The LPC would work, but you would have to run at 700 ma. (double check the voltage if you go this way). The 1000 ma version did not have enough voltage for 12 LEDs.

20-22 gauge pretinned. Look at the link above page 150 in DIY LEDs there is a link for good wire or match the specs and you should be fine.

 

[AngelAddict]

So go with the ELN even though I won't be dimming? I will have a look at page 150 right now, thanks.

 

[TheFishMan65]

The ELN will allow you to turn the current up and down to get the color mix you want. But hey are not made for a dawn.dusk mode of dmming. Just a settable on limit.

 

[jerryz]

An ELN without a P or D suffix is not dimmable

 

[TheFishMan65]

@fisman - My only comment is I wonder how I set the current level on the mean well fixtures I've buit so far then and all of them are dimmable on top of that. I love misinformation.

Jerry please explain the above. You have me totally confused now. Please tell me what misinformation I was passing on.