Understanding my LEDs

stevetcg · 09/13/2011, 11:25 AM

I am the proud owner of a new LED kit containing the meanwell 48D drivers, XP-E RB and XP-GR5 Whites. Now the data sheet says the XP-E can be powered to 1000mA and the XP-G to 1500mA.

The meanwell is capable of 1300mA. Basically that tells me I can run my whites full bore out of the box and still not reach their full potential.

What I am not getting is my XP-E. I know there is an adjustment knob inside the driver and I get how that works. If I give a full 10v signal and trim the screw to 1000mA, my blues are running at full.

So now here is a question. Since I cant find a 10VDC power supply, can I use a 9VDC, trim it to 1000mA and still get my full potential or am I over simplifying?

insomniac2k2 · 09/13/2011, 11:31 AM

Yes you can use a 9v adapter just fine. 9v @1000mah would overdrive your XP-E's. I recommend that you set your XPE blues at about 750 @ 9v. This will put you near 800mah.

You will never likely want your blues even that high. As soon as you throw your kit together, you will see.

stevetcg · 09/13/2011, 11:47 AM

Ive got pots to get my color balance correct. Im just looking at initial setup. Eventually I will wire it into the RKL's ALC module, but thats a long way off.

So even though the data sheet says they can take 1000mA, I should not set them there for full power?

ghellin · 09/13/2011, 12:55 PM

They will last longer and run cooler if you power them around
750mA.

insomniac2k2 · 09/13/2011, 01:03 PM

This and you will see little to no color change in the high ranges. If anything, the RB's start to white wash out after about 60%

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghellin

They will last longer and run cooler if you power them around
750mA.

larsonjera49 · 09/13/2011, 08:57 PM

Are those DIY LED kits pretty easy to install? I was going to get my San Jose electrician buddy to install a new lighting system for me, but maybe I can just do it myself. I just have a 25 gallon-all glass.

09/13/2011, 11:25 AM	#1
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Understanding my LEDs I am the proud owner of a new LED kit containing the meanwell 48D drivers, XP-E RB and XP-GR5 Whites. Now the data sheet says the XP-E can be powered to 1000mA and the XP-G to 1500mA. The meanwell is capable of 1300mA. Basically that tells me I can run my whites full bore out of the box and still not reach their full potential. What I am not getting is my XP-E. I know there is an adjustment knob inside the driver and I get how that works. If I give a full 10v signal and trim the screw to 1000mA, my blues are running at full. So now here is a question. Since I cant find a 10VDC power supply, can I use a 9VDC, trim it to 1000mA and still get my full potential or am I over simplifying?

09/13/2011, 12:55 PM	#4
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	They will last longer and run cooler if you power them around 750mA. __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.

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09/13/2011, 11:31 AM	#2
insomniac2k2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: concord Posts: 1,280	Yes you can use a 9v adapter just fine. 9v @1000mah would overdrive your XP-E's. I recommend that you set your XPE blues at about 750 @ 9v. This will put you near 800mah. You will never likely want your blues even that high. As soon as you throw your kit together, you will see.

09/13/2011, 11:47 AM	#3
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Ive got pots to get my color balance correct. Im just looking at initial setup. Eventually I will wire it into the RKL's ALC module, but thats a long way off. So even though the data sheet says they can take 1000mA, I should not set them there for full power?

09/13/2011, 08:57 PM	#6
larsonjera49 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 5	Are those DIY LED kits pretty easy to install? I was going to get my San Jose electrician buddy to install a new lighting system for me, but maybe I can just do it myself. I just have a 25 gallon-all glass.