LED's and Plants.

[O2surplus]

Technically its a power supply, not a ballast, but your concept is correct. The power supply is usually the weak link in any LED fixture.

Actually most of the better commercial LED fixtures employ Constant Current Drivers to power the LEDs. LED's rely on constant current not voltage to operate reliably. I do agree, from what I've seen, that the drivers and/or power supplies do seem to be the weak link. I've personally performed "electronic autopsies" on a few different brands of LED fixtures, that were made in CHINA, and found truly sub-par quality electronics inside.

I prefer to build my own drivers from scratch and mate them with robust power supplies for economy/ longevity.

 

[JakeH]

Actually most of the better commercial LED fixtures employ Constant Current Drivers to power the LEDs. LED's rely on constant current not voltage to operate reliably. I do agree, from what I've seen, that the drivers and/or power supplies do seem to be the weak link. I've personally performed "electronic autopsies" on a few different brands of LED fixtures, that were made in CHINA, and found truly sub-par quality electronics inside.

I prefer to build my own drivers from scratch and mate them with robust power supplies for economy/ longevity.

I'm pretty sure we're both saying the same thing, and yes the drivers are very important too... I guess my point was that its not a "ballast" like MH lights use. Thats pretty cool that you build the drivers yourself--beyond my skill set.

 

[aquaculture]

Forget about a thread.

So where can I get good drivers for the money, since I know I don't have the skill to build my own?

Also has it been proven that white leds have enough red and blue spectrum to adequately grow plants?

 

[O2surplus]

Forget about a thread.

So where can I get good drivers for the money, since I know I don't have the skill to build my own?

Also has it been proven that white leds have enough red and blue spectrum to adequately grow plants?

Rapid LED Home Page Everything you need in one place.

 

[aquaculture]

Thanks.