Need help sourcing Led Drivers

R

R_Mc

New member
Phoning the veterans on this one.

I'm planning on running either 2 or 4 drivers for the following configuration:

SPECIFICATIONS:
LED Configuration

Channel 1:
Cree XPE Royal Blue 5pcs
DC Forward Voltage (VF): 15V
DC Forward Current (IF): 350mA ~ 1000mA

Channel 2:
Cree XPE Red 3pcs
Epileds Cyan 2pcs
DC Forward Voltage (VF): 12V
DC Forward Current (IF): 350mA ~ 600mA

Channel 3:
XPE Cool White 6500K 5pcs
DC Forward Voltage (VF): 15V
DC Forward Current (IF): 350mA ~ 1000mA

Channel 4:
Cree XPE Blue 3pcs
Epileds 420nm Purple 2pcs
DC Forward Voltage (VF): 13V ~ 14V
DC Forward Current (IF): 350mA ~ 600mA

To drive everything at the lowest pricepoint I think i'd have to use one 600ma for channels 2 and 4, then a 1a driver for channels 1 and 3. The downside is control over color mixing.

I already have a 15-24V dc power source (70W), so I only need DC-DC drivers.

looking at this series right now: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/RCD-24-0.60/W/X1/RCD-24-0.60/W/X1-ND/2303643 but they're $14/20 per driver

Anyone know a cheap DC-DC solution for driving each channel individually?

Thanks :wave:
 
Cheaper from powergate as long as you're ordering more than just 4......shipping is a little high...
 
All in one solution? Meanwell LDD.

Custom PCB? You can do cheaper in quantity. But for a one-off build probably not.
 
Thanks - these look perfect. I want to start with simple analog dimming. Will have to look up an addon circuit for that.
 
R_Mc said:
Thanks - these look perfect. I want to start with simple analog dimming. Will have to look up an addon circuit for that.
Click to expand...

there are several floating around google "10 volt to pwm converter" works with a pot and a 10v power supply (some don't need the extra power supply)

or

make your own using a cheap arduino pro mini (or any arduino for that matter) and pots to do the conversion and dimming (actually all the boards use an arduino chip anyhow) a very basic sketch (attached) would do the conversion of the pot setting and output pwm to the drivers. you could convert it to a proper controller latter via revised sketch and adding an RTC, lcd screen, and buttons and such.
 

Attachments

  • Manual_Dimming_via_Arduino.zip
    638 bytes · Views: 1
zachts said:
there are several floating around google "10 volt to pwm converter" works with a pot and a 10v power supply (some don't need the extra power supply)

or

make your own using a cheap arduino pro mini (or any arduino for that matter) and pots to do the conversion and dimming (actually all the boards use an arduino chip anyhow) a very basic sketch (attached) would do the conversion of the pot setting and output pwm to the drivers. you could convert it to a proper controller latter via revised sketch and adding an RTC, lcd screen, and buttons and such.
Click to expand...

Here's the simple dimmer that I build. 4 independent channels of 8bit dimming with just the twist of a knob.

8upLDD-H_with_Dual_SCW003_zps2fda3cf2.jpg
 
You say you're thinking of 2 or 4 drivers.

If your PSU only goes to 24V, you need 4 drivers or to run the strings in parallel. 4 drivers is a much better bet...

Tim
 
I'm thinking I can just use 4 of these for PWM on the cheap? would be <$15 to control all 4 channels. Cant find anything close to this out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2A-Motor-Sp...878?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed86b08ce

If there's a better part at a similar price let me know. I'm not exactly sure how the output is controlled or...what it is with this item. Also seems totally overkill at 30W. There must be a cheaper/simpler pure PWM (no drive) solution.
 
R_Mc said:
I'm thinking I can just use 4 of these for PWM on the cheap? would be <$15 to control all 4 channels. Cant find anything close to this out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2A-Motor-Sp...878?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed86b08ce

If there's a better part at a similar price let me know. I'm not exactly sure how the output is controlled or...what it is with this item. Also seems totally overkill at 30W. There must be a cheaper/simpler pure PWM (no drive) solution.
Click to expand...
Not sure why nobody uses or mentions them but Buck pucks come like this:
03023-d-e-1000p.jpg


Generally they are more expensive than Meanwells..
Or add a $50 Typhon from Steves for a 4 channel PWM dimmer...
But back to your orig problem..PWM signal based on a 555 timing chip..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321143973713?lpid=82&chn=ps
Module Parameters:

Module Size: 45 * 24 * 25mm

Main Chip: NE555
Working Voltage: DC 4~16V
Working current: no higher than 10mA
Maximum Output Current: 225mA
Output Frequency: 10Khz ( buyer can change frequency by changing capacitor)
Output duty ratio adjustable 0~100%
Click to expand...
add a 5V PS and you "should" be good to go.. (have others verify this though)
Problem is it 4 are 1/2 the price of a 4 channel Typhon.. and all "manual"...........

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Typhon-Typhoon-LED-Controller-8794102479.htm
 
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Hi,
I've had good luck with various components from stevesleds.com
Also Led group buy.com
Color mixing is done with an AB PLC and Maple Systems HMI via 0-10v output going thru a PWM converter. Dial up what ever color or mood suits your fancy. Can make some pretty sweet light shows, too!
J
 
Last edited:
Looks like the only reason I may not be able to use the fan speed controller is the PWM frequency... Anyone have a datasheet for the product linked? Looking at similar I'm seeing very high speed PWM for 4 pin fans and relatively low speed (30hz) for 3 pin?

I assume that these fan speed controllers are 555 based - if so It's likely that I could change the timing with a capacitor swap, right?

Spec for LDD pwm input is 100hz-1khz
 
Last edited:
Not sure what you mean - the specs I'm seeing for fans: http://www.sanyo-denki.com/currentcooling/cooling_fans/onlinecatalog/index.pdf

indicate that they're controlled with a similar off @ 0-.4VDC on @ 2~5VDC like the meanwell. I believe that the 5~12V indicates the "high" voltage on the output, not the low-high.

\The real question is just the PWM frequency which looks to be 25KHZ based on the same datasheet above - 25x faster than the max spec provided by meanwell... hrmm...

Has anyone tried controlling with a much faster PWM frequency than specced? if so - how did the driver output behave?
 
R_Mc said:
Not sure what you mean - the specs I'm seeing for fans: http://www.sanyo-denki.com/currentcooling/cooling_fans/onlinecatalog/index.pdf

indicate that they're controlled with a similar off @ 0-.4VDC on @ 2~5VDC like the meanwell. I believe that the 5~12V indicates the "high" voltage on the output, not the low-high.
Click to expand...

you asked about a "pot" controller.. Doesn't matter what the fan wants..
That controller is simple voltage limiter via resistance AFAICT...

you know, I have to ask this.. Why are you trying to skimp on the very thing that makes LED's so desirable?.. dimming, programming and control.. Makes no sense..
The Typhon is just a pre-programmed aduino w/ "shields" like a clock chip ect.. Not pushing it per se.. just a bit baffled..;)

If you get PWM controlled fans you are still back at square one...
 
Last edited:
R_Mc said:
Man that wouldn't work... you're absolutely right. I guess I'm looking for a PWM based fan speed controller - which also seem to be out there and look almost identical...

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...5WmnJPgY4-L5o5ncBir5tTFGD0Msst4-cAaAoss8P8HAQ
Click to expand...

worth a read:
http://www.swiftech.com/pwmcontrollers.aspx
http://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-controller/

Actually it "is" a bit more complicated than I orig. assumed..
But still leads me back to this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321143973713?lpid=82&chn=ps
 
Last edited:
R_Mc said:
I'm thinking I can just use 4 of these for PWM on the cheap? would be <$15 to control all 4 channels. Cant find anything close to this out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2A-Motor-Sp...878?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed86b08ce

If there's a better part at a similar price let me know. I'm not exactly sure how the output is controlled or...what it is with this item. Also seems totally overkill at 30W. There must be a cheaper/simpler pure PWM (no drive) solution.
Click to expand...

arduino pro mini ~$5
4 pots either 5kohm or 10kom, dirt cheap ($1.50 from steves leds also all over the net)
.....plus, you then have the flexibility to turn it into a controller later.......
total cost ~$9, (but then you have some shipping or just get the leds from steves also....)
Just my two cents.
 
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