New Reefbrite XHO quad power supply

[Pelagikos]

I'd like to think that I'm a fairly intelligent person. But either I don't have the right part or I'm not the baby Einstein I believe I am. Lol
I cannot for the life of me figure out how to run these four lights down to one connection on the power supply.
I have added pictures to show what I have received.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...because of course I can't reach BRS on the weekends!

 

[oreo54]

You need 3 "Y" cables to get to one point..
Looks like you are short 1.
I I I I
Y Y
Y
You can use the 2 to light 3 though.

Power supply (one right?) is 24V 5A (120W).

What size are your 4 lights?

 

[Pelagikos]

You need 3 "Y" cables to get to one point..
Looks like you are short 1.
I I I I
Y Y
Y
You can use the 2 to light 3 though.

Power supply (one right?) is 24V 5A (120W).

What size are your 4 lights?

24" so it does seem that I was shorted some kind of cable or something.

 

[oreo54]

24" so it does seem that I was shorted some kind of cable or something.

Yep, are those dimmers on the y cables?
You might find something locally. There are only 2 sizes in general
Example..

5.5x2.1mm 1 to 2 M/F DC Power Splitter Cable for Security CCTV Camera​

$6.99

 

[Pelagikos]

Yep, are those dimmers on the y cables?
You might find something locally. There are only 2 sizes in general
Example..

5.5x2.1mm 1 to 2 M/F DC Power Splitter Cable for Security CCTV Camera​

$6.99

Wow... thank you so much!
I didn't know what size or what type of cable to look for and where. Yes, those are dimmers on the y cables, should I still be able to use them?

 

[oreo54]

Wow... thank you so much!
I didn't know what size or what type of cable to look for and where. Yes, those are dimmers on the y cables, should I still be able to use them?

Yes the dimmers should be fine.
Most power supplies use the 5.5 mm x either 2.1mm pin or 2.5mm pin

Measuring Power Supply Barrel Plug ID 2.1mm vs 2.5mm

One common question that is asked of Techs at Digi-Key is to trying to verify the correct replacement wall mount AC to DC power supply. The difficult specification to find on many of these power supplies is what size if the inner diameter of the plug / connector. This is made more difficult by...

forum.digikey.com

 

[oreo54]

24 leds per 24" (12 diodes/ft)
"3W class" run at 1.2-2W each.
Soo each light is approx 36-48W each
144-192W

Your power supply is probably undersized for 4 bars.
They should have mentioned that or possibly the reason to not include the 3rd y cable..

Safest power supply should be about 288 Watts.
12 amps 24v..

 

[Pelagikos]

24 leds per 24" (12 diodes/ft)
"3W class" run at 1.2-2W each.
Soo each light is approx 36-48W each
144-192W

Your power supply is probably undersized for 4 bars.
They should have mentioned that or possibly the reason to not include the 3rd y cable..

Safest power supply should be about 288 Watts.
12 amps 24v..

You know I really appreciate the information. This REALLY freaking irks me. It was sold as a COMPLETE kit from BRS.
I'll be speaking with them on Monday and maybe my last order from them. I truly appreciate all of your help.
I did find a couple of splitters like the ones you suggested. They're being overnighted by Amazon so I'll update this thread once I figure out if I ordered the right thing! Lol

 

[oreo54]

Well I did some more calculations based on a DIFFERENT description of the light.
Instead of 12 diodes/ft it gives me 18 total.

Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum performance and output, the Reef Brite 24" XHO 50/50 LED Light produces the same amount of light as a similar length T5 or VHO Fluorescent lamp. 18 LEDs. 27 watts.

Even at that and accounting for resistor wattage (constant voltage arrays use resistors for current control) the smallest power supply should be around 7.5A @ 24...

• each 15 ohm resistor dissipates 3750 mW
• the wizard thinks the power dissipated in your resistor is a concern
• together, all resistors dissipate 18000 mW
• together, the diodes dissipate 27000 mW
• total power dissipated by the array is 45000 mW
• the array draws current of 1500 mA from the source.

Since leds are pretty "passive" it may not effect the ps too much BUT it is possible you will not get 100% light output.
Chances are the difference wouldn't be exactly visible to the eye.
"IF" you want to mess with cable cutting ect.. this is a much better idea..

I really don't "do" constant voltage but that is how "I" would size my ps.

Maybe the correct way is just using
the 1.5A figure. THAT would be 6 as is your power supply.
Still ..doesn't include efficiency loss of about 20% I believe.

My defense is the wrong way guarantees me enough power and won't tax the ps.

 

[ingchr1]

If I had to guess, you are missing a power supply. It should have came with two.