TESTING LED array

SnowManSnow · 05/03/2010, 03:46 PM

ok.. so after I wire up the LEDs how do i test them? ill be running from an RKL, so I don't want to go through THAT entire process to test.

can i just use a 9v battery? Pardon me if this is a noob question cause... umm.. imma noob!! But I'm learning fast!

B

customcolor · 05/03/2010, 05:39 PM

no 9v!!!! use 2 aa batteries!! each led is only 3v..you run more than that and **POOF**

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/03/2010, 06:44 PM

customcolor, I think he's talking about providing a signal for the DIM circuit for an ELN driver. A 9v battery will work fine for that to verify that the array works.

It's important to carefully set the internal current limiting trimpot on it before you fire it up. This has been detailed in several of the build threads.

SnowManSnow · 05/03/2010, 10:07 PM

right.

so i can go 9v to my driver to the LEDs right?

B

SnowManSnow · 05/03/2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

customcolor, I think he's talking about providing a signal for the DIM circuit for an ELN driver. A 9v battery will work fine for that to verify that the array works.

It's important to carefully set the internal current limiting trimpot on it before you fire it up. This has been detailed in several of the build threads.

and just so I'll be aware of it.. pls explain the internal trimpot.. where is it.. what do i set it too.. so forth?

B

customcolor · 05/03/2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

customcolor, I think he's talking about providing a signal for the DIM circuit for an ELN driver. A 9v battery will work fine for that to verify that the array works.

It's important to carefully set the internal current limiting trimpot on it before you fire it up. This has been detailed in several of the build threads.

gotcha

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/04/2010, 06:09 AM

The driver needs a connection to 120v AC - the 9v battery is just there to give it a dimming signal, not to power it. but yes, you can just connect the 9v battery to the dimming connections on the driver.

There are two internal trimpots. They are shown in the datasheet:

http://www.meanwell.com/search/eln-60/default.htm

You need to pop the plastic case of the driver to see them. The pot you're concerned about is SVR2, the current limit pot. You should turn it all the way down before wiring anything up. Then, wire things up, turn the array on, check for obvious problems (half the LEDs don't light, your hair catches on fire, etc.) If there are none, then unplug the unit, put a multimeter in series with the LEDs set to measure current (use one with > 1A capacity), plug it back in, and adjust the svr2 trimpot upwards until you reach your desired max current.

If you're using the 9v battery to do this setup, and will later be switching to something that actually gives the full 10v (i.e. the RKL ALC), then you shoud re-check the adjustment with that signal, since the 9v battery will only be giving you approximately 90% signal, not a full 100%.

SnowManSnow · 05/04/2010, 08:44 AM

ok thanks for the help

clear as mud

but the water is clearing haha

nitjt · 05/04/2010, 09:22 AM

I have 5 large heatsinks that will cover about the entire surface of my bowfront tank. Should I use them all and spread the 104 leds (39 cool white XP-G, and 65 RB XP-E leds) about 3.5 to 3.75 inches apart over the entire surface of the heatsinks. Or should I use only three and group them tighter The tank is 48x24 at the widest point and 29 inches deep. The heatsinks are 8.5 inches wide and the longest is 17 inches the shortest are 13 inches long x 2 and two that are 15 inches long. Will my choice of 104 LEDs be enough to equal my curent lighting system which is 4 x 39 w T5 actinc and 2 x 250 w HQI over driven with lumentek dimmable 400 w ballast?

05/03/2010, 03:46 PM	#1
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	TESTING LED array ok.. so after I wire up the LEDs how do i test them? ill be running from an RKL, so I don't want to go through THAT entire process to test. can i just use a 9v battery? Pardon me if this is a noob question cause... umm.. imma noob!! But I'm learning fast! B __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

05/03/2010, 05:39 PM	#2
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	no 9v!!!! use 2 aa batteries!! each led is only 3v..you run more than that and POOF __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

05/03/2010, 06:44 PM	#3
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	customcolor, I think he's talking about providing a signal for the DIM circuit for an ELN driver. A 9v battery will work fine for that to verify that the array works. It's important to carefully set the internal current limiting trimpot on it before you fire it up. This has been detailed in several of the build threads. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/03/2010, 10:07 PM	#4
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	right. so i can go 9v to my driver to the LEDs right? B __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

05/04/2010, 06:09 AM	#7
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	The driver needs a connection to 120v AC - the 9v battery is just there to give it a dimming signal, not to power it. but yes, you can just connect the 9v battery to the dimming connections on the driver. There are two internal trimpots. They are shown in the datasheet: http://www.meanwell.com/search/eln-60/default.htm You need to pop the plastic case of the driver to see them. The pot you're concerned about is SVR2, the current limit pot. You should turn it all the way down before wiring anything up. Then, wire things up, turn the array on, check for obvious problems (half the LEDs don't light, your hair catches on fire, etc.) If there are none, then unplug the unit, put a multimeter in series with the LEDs set to measure current (use one with > 1A capacity), plug it back in, and adjust the svr2 trimpot upwards until you reach your desired max current. If you're using the 9v battery to do this setup, and will later be switching to something that actually gives the full 10v (i.e. the RKL ALC), then you shoud re-check the adjustment with that signal, since the 9v battery will only be giving you approximately 90% signal, not a full 100%. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/04/2010, 08:44 AM	#8
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	ok thanks for the help clear as mud but the water is clearing haha __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

05/04/2010, 09:22 AM	#9
nitjt Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: garland, tx Posts: 128	How many Heatsinks? I have 5 large heatsinks that will cover about the entire surface of my bowfront tank. Should I use them all and spread the 104 leds (39 cool white XP-G, and 65 RB XP-E leds) about 3.5 to 3.75 inches apart over the entire surface of the heatsinks. Or should I use only three and group them tighter The tank is 48x24 at the widest point and 29 inches deep. The heatsinks are 8.5 inches wide and the longest is 17 inches the shortest are 13 inches long x 2 and two that are 15 inches long. Will my choice of 104 LEDs be enough to equal my curent lighting system which is 4 x 39 w T5 actinc and 2 x 250 w HQI over driven with lumentek dimmable 400 w ballast?

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