Mixing LEDS on same driver?

Oshamo

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
10
Hi!
I am building a lamp for my aquarium. I would like to know if its OK to use XR-E and XP-G LEDS on the same driver. They have different Vf. Will that be a problem?
Best regards
Lasse
 

CKOD

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
708
Are they being driven in series or parallel? If they are in series, then its all fine, since the current though each one has to be the same. If they are in parallel, definitely not. If you parallel leds, the Vf needs to be *closely* matched, even different voltage bins of the same LED wouldnt be compatible in parallel.
 

Oshamo

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
10
Wow that was a quick response! Thank you very much. They are being driven in series.
Thanks,
Lasse
 

blasterman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
1,802
Actually, current is important, and yeah they should be in series.

XR-E royals and XP-G whites, which I assume you are using, are similiar enough in regards to current that you can mix them in series and it doesn't matter. Although the XP-G will handle > 1amp current levels better than the XR-E. At 350mA-1000mA in series just treat them as the same LED.

As a side note, mixing blues and reds in this fashion can cause problems if you're driving them hard because they are so different. Blues and white's however are close enough that it doesn't matter.

Oh yeah, if this is a salt tank, do yourself a favor and try a few neutral whites with royal blue along with cools.
 
Top