Changed my driver to double the power but light doesn’t seem any brighter?

Prawn Connery

Well-Known Member
Or should I run a hlg-480h-c3500!!!!

so you think 400 would be more realistic with the premade three board slate Heatsink my hlg?
The C3500 doesn't have enough voltage output to driver three QBs at those currents, that's why it's not on the list.

Pesonally, I wouldn't drive three QBs at 480W on a Slate 2 Triple heatsink without active (fan) cooling for the following reason:

If you go to HLG's website, they say their Slate 2 triple heatsink is only good to 325W.

Triple
  • Pre Drilled for 3x QB304 or 3x QB288 Quantum Board
  • Black Anodized
  • Length: 891mm Width: 205mm Weight: 2kg
  • M3 Screws to mount board included
  • 100W - 325 Watts LED

But if you have enough heatsinking, then you can do it. The amount of current you can run through a QB is related to how much heat you can remove from it.
 

Prawn Connery

Well-Known Member
I run mine at 160w per board, each with a single slate heatsink and they dont get super hot... I did use an adhesive thermal substrate between the boards and sinks, and keep good circulation going in there..
Biggest issue with running them that high is the distance they need to be kept from the plants
We run our single panels at up to 240W without themal paste, but our panels are 50% bigger and so are our heatsinks. If you are doing it, then it can obviously be done. But I'm guessing you probably have a fair bit of air blowing on them, and that can make all the difference.
 

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
We run our single panels at up to 240W without themal paste, but our panels are 50% bigger and so are our heatsinks. If you are doing it, then it can obviously be done. But I'm guessing you probably have a fair bit of air blowing on them, and that can make all the difference.
Ideally i would be running 4 panels at 80w a piece, but that is expensive for a hobby garden.
 

SaHt420

Well-Known Member
The C3500 doesn't have enough voltage output to driver three QBs at those currents, that's why it's not on the list.

Pesonally, I wouldn't drive three QBs at 480W on a Slate 2 Triple heatsink without active (fan) cooling for the following reason:

If you go to HLG's website, they say their Slate 2 triple heatsink is only good to 325W.

Triple
  • Pre Drilled for 3x QB304 or 3x QB288 Quantum Board
  • Black Anodized
  • Length: 891mm Width: 205mm Weight: 2kg
  • M3 Screws to mount board included
  • 100W - 325 Watts LED

But if you have enough heatsinking, then you can do it. The amount of current you can run through a QB is related to how much heat you can remove from it.
Thanks for letting me know!!! I’ll just run two at 300+ watts on a slate two triple Heatsink for better coverage in a 32”x60” tent
 

SaHt420

Well-Known Member
What do y’all think of this email I asked similar question to hlg IMG_0942.png
About the driver running three 648s in series with a 320h-c1750
 

Prawn Connery

Well-Known Member
It appears they assumed you wanted to continue using a 320W driver in your grow space. After all, if nothing changes in your grow room, and all you are doing is putting in an extra panel, then you would keep the wattage the same.

However, if you were planning to expand your area by, say, 50%, then of course you would need to increase your wattage by a similar amount.

You really need to ask them a direct question: can I use a HLG-480-C2800 with 3x QB648 boards and, if so, what sort of heatsinking do I need?

You can keep asking questions here and get diffrerent answers, or you can get it from the horse's mouth – the manufacturer. I think you are making this a lot harder than it needs to be. I say that in a helpful way, because one email to HLG is probably worth a dozen questions on RIU.

It also begs the question: if you are planning to go from a 320W driver to a 480W driver, are you also planning to increase your grow area by 50%?
 

SaHt420

Well-Known Member
It appears they assumed you wanted to continue using a 320W driver in your grow space. After all, if nothing changes in your grow room, and all you are doing is putting in an extra panel, then you would keep the wattage the same.

However, if you were planning to expand your area by, say, 50%, then of course you would need to increase your wattage by a similar amount.

You really need to ask them a direct question: can I use a HLG-480-C2800 with 3x QB648 boards and, if so, what sort of heatsinking do I need?

You can keep asking questions here and get diffrerent answers, or you can get it from the horse's mouth – the manufacturer. I think you are making this a lot harder than it needs to be. I say that in a helpful way, because one email to HLG is probably worth a dozen questions on RIU.

It also begs the question: if you are planning to go from a 320W driver to a 480W driver, are you also planning to increase your grow area by 50%?
I was told if I used the hlg-320h-c2800 I’d achieve actual 320 wats from two boards instead of mine powered by a hlg-320h-c2100 under powering them. But you’re absolutely right I make shit harder then it’s needs to lol. But will send them a more defined email lol
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Whata great reply lol View attachment 5345368View attachment 5345369

I guess I’ll just run three at 320
You realize that you never specified if you wanted 350w total or per board? Fair enough though the answer was made for 320w.

This is the thread to learn how to figure this out on your own, together with reading some datasheets so you never have to get the wrong driver again. A little hint, the qb648 have fairly high voltage so for high watt configs you may need to use either a cc driver in series or something like a inventronics contstant power driver with voltage range up to 60V.
 

SaHt420

Well-Known Member
You realize that you never specified if you wanted 350w total or per board? Fair enough though the answer was made for 320w.

This is the thread to learn how to figure this out on your own, together with reading some datasheets so you never have to get the wrong driver again. A little hint, the qb648 have fairly high voltage so for high watt configs you may need to use either a cc driver in series or something like a inventronics contstant power driver with voltage range up to 60V.
Thanks! I figured that’s what three wb648s at 350+w was lol. But I’ll read up on diy leds
 
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