mistake on leds

[Corvette Reefer]

Just anyone out there making a led system hears a simple note for you

NEVER PUT A ON OFF SWITCH BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND LEDS

you will regreat spending $100 of dollars on leds to see them all dead

[EMUreef]

Originally Posted by Corvette Reefer

Just anyone out there making a led system hears a simple note for you

NEVER PUT A ON OFF SWITCH BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND LEDS

you will regreat spending $100 of dollars on leds to see them all dead

what driver did you use?

[CableGuy]

Originally Posted by EMUreef

what driver did you use?

Doesnt matter... with constant current drivers, you need to turn the DRIVER OFF, not the led's.

[EMUreef]

Originally Posted by CableGuy

Doesnt matter... with constant current drivers, you need to turn the DRIVER OFF, not the led's.

maybe it matters to me?

[CableGuy]

Mean Well LPC-35-700W constant current driver

From his build thread.

[Chris]

I've not messed with leds yet but.... what does it matter? If anything, IF properly wired wouldnt it just blow the switch not the actual leds/driver??

[CableGuy]

Originally Posted by chort55

I've not messed with leds yet but.... what does it matter? If anything, IF properly wired wouldnt it just blow the switch not the actual leds/driver??

Im not an electrical engineer but it has something to do with the "constant current" and how that circuitry is used. The driver needs to soft powered on.

I think when switched off it is pulling 0mA. Then when you switch it on, it sends more than the 700ma through the pipe line frying all of the LED's.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by CableGuy

Im not an electrical engineer but it has something to do with the "constant current" and how that circuitry is used. The driver needs to soft powered on.

I think when switched off it is pulling 0mA. Then when you switch it on, it sends more than the 700ma through the pipe line frying all of the LED's.

Ok that would make sense didn't think of that, still kinda seems like it might blow the switch or the driver before the leds themself though but could definitely be wrong....


Vette how are you sure it killed the LEDS themselves??

[EMUreef]

most switchs are rather simple , there really is no way to blow the switch as most of them dont have anything electrical. the switch just basically moves the current from off to on with a piece of metal.

Adam has it right, the drivers are a slow start up basically go from 0-700ma, with the switch its a one shot of 700 and blows the LED's.

[AChambers5]

So would it be fine to put the swithch between the drivers and the power source, or the power source and the plug outlet? From my understanding of what i have read here both should be fine, Just wanna make sure cause i am in the beginning of my own LED build.