Is Wiring COBs in parallel with constant current safe?

R

robbmarr

Member
I have two of these MeanWell HLG-120H-48A Drivers https://cobkits.com/product/meanwell-hlg-120h-48a/ and nine CXM22s https://cobkits.com/product/cxm22-light-engine/

I've never wired anything up before except a few battery circuits in shop class many many years ago.

Should I be wiring these cobs in parallel or series? I've been searching around and I seem to be hearing that parallel is necessary due to the drivers being low/constant voltage but then I'm also hearing that COBS should "never" be wired in parallel and that it is dangerous to do so due to problems like thermal runaway.

I'm scared to solder. I think I'm going to just use wagos and call it day, but how exactly should I be wiring these components together?

The original plan was to do a 3x3 grid, with 5 cobs connected to one driver and 4 to the other.
 
CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
robbmarr said:
Should I be wiring these cobs in parallel or series? I've been searching around and I seem to be hearing that parallel is necessary due to the drivers being low/constant voltage
Click to expand...
this/ its physically impossible to drive the cobs you have in series with a 50V driver

robbmarr said:
but then I'm also hearing that COBS should "never" be wired in parallel and that it is dangerous to do so due to problems like thermal runaway.
Click to expand...
not an issue with your driver, it cant go over 54V

robbmarr said:
I'm scared to solder. I think I'm going to just use wagos and call it day, but how exactly should I be wiring these components together?
Click to expand...
for the 4-cob on a drive rits easy. get 2 5-pole wagos and use one for + and one for -

slot 1 gets fed from driver
slots 2-5 all fo to cobs

for your 5-vob setup you'll need to use 2 5-slot wagos but also use 2 3-slots. from slot 5 youll run that to the 3 pole wago and have 2 holes for cobs 4 and 5
 
R

robbmarr

Member
CobKits said:
check this out

https://www.rollitup.org/t/introducing-cobkits-com-specializing-in-diy-and-citizen-cobs.916763/page-106#post-13457897
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help! That diagram is exactly what I needed.

I know you're the resident expert on this so I figure I'd ask you while I got you...I'm wondering if there is an optimum way to tune these drivers for veg/flower or if I should just leave it on full-blast considering this setup is low-voltage and very efficient out-of-the-box.
 
CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
COB wont care which drivers feeding it. if you nee dmore light leave it cranking, if you have light to spare and want it to be a little more efficient, dim it
 
xX_BHMC_Xx

xX_BHMC_Xx

Well-Known Member
Cobby said it. It is literally impossible to run them in series with those drivers. It isn't inherently dangerous to run cobs in parallel, it's just a different thought process and requires a little more effort. Also, soldering is eeaasssyyyyy. Look up some videos on tinning, very simple process. Don't be afraid, you can do it!
 
R

robbmarr

Member
xX_BHMC_Xx said:
Also, soldering is eeaasssyyyyy. Look up some videos on tinning, very simple process. Don't be afraid, you can do it!
Click to expand...
I know soldering is easy but since I've only done it a few times in life it's also a potentially really messy solution. What if I want to switch out my lights at all down the road, just feels like the wago connectors are more convenient for me. I have no heat gun, shrink wrap, all that extra shit you need to do electrical work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top