Enttec CV Drivers

[Claire@Capri]

hi Everyone,

Just wondering if many people have had experience with Enttec Brand CV Drivers (Constant Voltage Drivers for LED Strip).

We've just bought a whole heap and installed them and they blow fuses. The published specs are three times as much as what they are actually capable of doing. We're having a bit of a tussle with Enttec as they should supply more drivers to make up for the wrong specs. It'll be interesting to see how much they value their reputation.

Just wondering if anyone else has had experience with this ?

Cheers,
Claire

 

[Amiers]

Lots of questions.

Which model do you have?

What fuses are they blowing?

What size PSU are you attaching?

What brand/model/kind is your tape?

How long are your runs of tape?

What voltage is your tape?

 

[Claire@Capri]

Enttec CV Driver Mk2
Internal fuses inside the driver (but user replacable)
The PSU is an integral part of the Driver. (230V in 24V CV PCM out)
The Tape is from Enttec. 9CU 3000K and RGB
Tape runs are up to but less than 5m
It is all 24V tape.
The issue is that all of their design specs claim 5A PER CHANNEL. There are 3 channels on each 4pin XLR output socket. They can only deliver a total of 5A per socket, i.e. 5A on a channel if only one is driven or 5/3A each if all three are driven. This is quite different to 5A/ channel = 15A per output socket.

Their specs are misleading. It'll be interesting to see if how much they value their reputation.

Have you heard of Enttec or had any dealings with them ?
Cheers,

 

[Amiers]

I have used their products before but not their LED tape drivers.

I would agree they could use better verbiage and say 5a per output.

If you don’t already have the link here is one to the website with all the specs.

https://www.enttec.com/product/controls/led-control/cv-mk2-led-tape-driver/

You are limited to 250w which kinda sucks and you have to spread it out. I would say return them all if you can and do some math to figure out the wattage you need and build your own.

 

[cbrandt]

I've found that anytime I'm working with LED tape, it pays off to sit down and run through both the specs and the math at least 3 times. I always end up catching something that I've missed.

I've also never worked the Enttec's LED drivers, but have had great results from their data devices.

 

[IMLICHTMAN]

I've always found ENTTEC products to work as advertised. I've also been guilty of the magical thinking that goes along with not reading an equipment specification in its entirety. ENTEC notes total device wattage in the printed specs and in the silkscreen on the driver enclosures. While the wording might stand to be more forceful, ("Do not exceed 250 total watts" or something of this ilk) the fact that 5A x 24V x 6 chan yields ~ 720W (or 360W for the 12V device) would suggest revisiting the specs or contacting the vendor. Caveat Emptor.