- Joined
- Sep 18, 2017
- Messages
- 5,710
- Reaction score
- 3,512
The more LED's you run in series the higher the forward voltage is and the more chance at shorts, solder breaks, thermal inrush and other issues. This is how you increase the chance of burning out LEDs.
Multiple Parallel runs help keep the voltage low. While you have the issue of possible parallel leg failover sending too much current to the working legs just don't design it that way and leave yourself some breathing room. If one leg fails and sends all the current to 2 or 3 other legs there should be enough current head room so those legs can handle it for awhile. This is the biggest reason you don't drive LEDs at max.
High voltage + DC + DIY = bad. 50volts of Cree XPG3s in a single series driven hard will knock you on your butt before the driver cuts it off. Been there - done that. Those 50volts of LED distributed across several parallel legs of ~18 volts are much safer and will yield less chance of solder jumps and shorts. MeanWell has any possible voltage and current combination of driver out there, so that part is a non issue.
Thing is, unless you need 10v analog or pot dimming might as well go LDD-HW's and a power supply.
Last times I priced it using monolithic a/dc drivers vs multiple LDDs and a power supply, the cost is fairly equivalent.
As to cheap ldd dimming a modified $3 dimmer and a wall wart (or not if the power supply you need is between 9-24V)
$5 and a wire from the gate of the internal mosfet for a 5V PWM signal.
USUALLY can find them for like $2 each from China inc. shipping
Manual Dimmer Switch for LED Strip Light, 12V 8A Mountable with Terminals | eBay
Max Load: 8A (96W).
www.ebay.com
Last edited: