Quote:
Originally posted by ReefEnabler
Here's a wiring question:
If an LED has a Vf of 3.6v, and you are using a BuckPuck with 24 VDC input, then this is just barely enough to power 6 of these LEDs in series; the Vf of 6 LEDs would be 21.6v (need 2v margin).
Could you wire two groups of 6 (in series) in parallel?? Basically after each group of 6 the wiring would connect back at the buckpuck essentially making two parallel groups of 6.
Anybody know if this will work? And if so, why don't we use more parallel wiring to power more LEDs with the Buckpucks?
Thanks
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This always sounds logical..... unfortunately it's kind of hard to explain but if you have two branches of 6 LEDs in parallel and each branch requires say 1 Amp you would have to supply two Amps to the circuit. The Buck Puck is a constant current source so it will divide it's 1 Amp into the two branches so it will only supply 500 mA to each branch. I hope this makes sense.
There is another problem with parallel circuit in that if you could supply two Amps to the circuit and if an LED fails and the circuit is opened on one branch the current has to go somewhere so it flows in the other branch. That means 2 Amps will be flowing though that other branch resulting in a big cloud of smoke.