If you have an HLG-480 or HLG-600 I would like to know the operating case temperature of the driver.
So, please zap the case with an infra red thermometer and tell us the temperature; at full load.
I’m looking to reduce heat and lower the electric bills.
Will two 480W or 600W drivers radiating max 190F each be cooler than six 115F drivers and lower the room temperature; therefore lowering the electric bill?
I have a shelf rack with six 90W drivers for the six hlg sabers. Each 90W driver’s case warms up to about 115F.
What’s your case temperatures?
Thank you in advance.
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Why dont you make remote drivers. I have 25 foot cords on my drivers so there outside the grow area/tent. Too early here or i would zap my cases on the 480.
data sheet for that driver is this one in the pic
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Thanks for checking.
The Operating temp is the range of ambient temperatures the unit will operate. When it’s too cold I don’t want to work either. In the data sheet is where it mentions the case temperature. Tcase= +90°C (194F).
The driver would power multiple 100w lights so I presume a constant voltage driver is right and wire it in parallel.
It’s a multiple wire shelf rack setup in a spare bedroom. So depending on the driver’s heat, it’ll get secured to the post like the drivers are now or up top; providing there is ample room below the ceiling. Fire hazard.
There is one fan per shelf. Room gets very warm.
6 x 90 watt drivers will be much cooler than 2 x 480 watt drivers. 540 watts total vs 960 watts total, more watts will always result in more heat with similar technologies. Also 960 watts will always cost more in electricity than 540 watts, almost twice as much.
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I did the math wrong.
One 480W driver or one 600W would replace the six 90W drivers.
Lamps can handle 100-120W each,
So then BTU’s per Watt, the single driver is cooler correct?
3.412 BTUs per watt between the light and the driver, lower total watts cooler room. The temp of the driver is probably going to vary by room temp and clearance ect. Assuming the drivers are the same efiency the lower wattage will always create less heat regardless of size or number of drivers those factors just spread the heat out.
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I appreciate all the answers.
Preybird, please still post the temperature.
My real dilemma is needing a PAR/PPFD reading. That would decide to change drivers or not. Maybe someone in Tucson can come by. Just not worth getting the Apogee for two minutes of use.
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What size area are you trying to light?
48"x24 wire shelf. Two HLG saber 100W’s per shelf, sharing one OWA-90U-36-P1M 90W driver using a Y-Splitter. Lamps are about 14” above the plants.
I determined that the hypotenuse 
of the beams fit best on the shelf at this height. Lower height and lower power per lamp.
According to the HLG100w quantum board specs and reviews, I should be in the sweet spot.
My non-medical garden plants are flowering all year. Still needs the high light and high humidity.
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Here you go room ambient temp 69-71° lights at full power 120 watts per board -10% for driver efficiency.
I have never seen case temps above 92° and this is why i do external driver. Now if i wanted more heat i may leave a driver in the tent. I jave 2 lights where the driver is mounted to the light assembly but i did that because the light didnt make enough heat. So the driver made up for the needed heat.
I just set the drivers on bricks to avoid any heat issues. Like maybe melting the table in case.
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That driver is cooler than the 90W driver I have!
Definitely be investing in that series before Summer.
Need to borrow a PAR meter or someone with a PAR meter, first.
Thanks again!
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