Now to share my build and these new XLG drivers
as shown above and below is one of two of the light i just recently built.
I decided on the 280mm/11" strips as they fit my space the best, each array is composed of 14 of the 3500k bridgelux EB series Gen 2 strips, coupled to Meanwell’s newer XLG-100-L-AB driver, with one for each panel, the strips are mounted to an aluminum backing plate made from an old cut down sign with rivets, not for heatsink purposes but for air deflection purposes for my space cause otherwise i would have some dead air pockets in one of my corners without having a circulation fan dedicated to that spot, but i won’t argue that i used aluminum with heatsink capabilities in mind but really it was just what i had laying around
Here’s a shot of a new XLG-100 driver compared to a HLG series driver, notice the smaller size, and they are about 2/3rds the price even for same wattages, being that the xlg is not hand built like the HLG but machine line produced supposedly, efficiency between the two is within 2% with the HLG being more efficient.
Note the added purple knobbed potentiometer i added for dimming control ;), and i have my set to be slightly over drive at max at 800ma instead of 700ma factory set for the xlg driver.
Here’s are some not that old shots of one just installed on the right side of my closet cabinets with some solstrips on the left, the solstrips were pulled out as soon as i had the second light order and built.
So what was my cost, all in rivets, drivers, strips, free signs ;). and miscellaneous bits included ?
Each panel cost me. $94.50usd or $125cnd all said and done, ive been enjoying them ever since.
Edit: Safety Precautions
So a safety precaution should be brought up from some discussion that was had with @TrevorLahey over in discord chat , its something i wasn’t concerned about myself but its a good measure to be safe about it.
These bridgelux EB2 series strips on one side of the strips have bare solder points for your positive and negative sides of the circuit if one wasn’t using the attached wire connectors, saying that if handling these strips while turned on which you shouldn’t anyways these would have a potential to short out through these points and potentially electrocute you.
So just to be safe applying some Liquid Electrical tape, silicone, rtv, or non conductive paint to these spots will help eliminate any potential issue.
Bare contact points
Covered contact points by use of Liquid Electrical tape.
Others feel free to share your builds and or potential builds or fruitful helpful discussions.