maxwellen vs. meanwell?

So from my understanding meanwell drivers seem to be better for a couple of reasons. But I'm trying to see if there is any major problems with the cheaper maxwellen drivers as well. I understand that they run a little louder and warmer but where I have my tank the noise isnt an issue and I could just put better ventilation on the maxwellen drivers like a fan or something assuming that there isnt any major issues with their quality etc. I'm looking for real answers based off of real experiences so I don't want to hear oh thats a piece of crap driver from china with no other form of reinforcing what has been said. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Just read that maxwell driver sare only dimmable via a pot and not controller compatible and also won't dim to 0! only close too!

also, i guess they run to 70v dc which is enough to give you a serious shock, so you should protect the wiring better!

Its hard to find much more info on them! Most seem to be satisfied with them as long as you can deal with the buzz and heat!

Did ya buy one yet?lol

 

One is UL listed. The other is not.

That's enough for me to never choose the later.

 

Meaning one paid the money for Underwriters to put a stamp on it, and the other did not pay. UL is a joke.

EDIT: I'd go with MeanWell anyway...better product.

 

Have seen many DIY with the MeanWell. The MeanWell is considered low voltage and does not have the same concerns that you will have with the maxwell, which is considered HIGH voltage.

 

Thanks for the info everyone, especially cosmo....and no haven't pulled the trigger, just waiting a little longer to see if I can find a used fixture first and if not then ill pull the trigger

 

No worries Bruno, glad to help, it gets confusing picking between price, this that, that option, this option! i think if you parted it out, you could do the 48 Cree system with meanwells for $350! Let me know if I can help! I'm a single dad of a 7 year old so after he goes to bed, all i do is surf the web! I'll see what i can figure out after a water change tonight!

 

yea something around there....i figured it to be about $350 before the heat sinks

 

Just built a system on groupledbuy! They have a cool new thing, it's 3 led's on a chip(2 blue 1 white) built a 48 led system that way and the traditionional and we're at about $350-380 without the drivers, so add $65-75! Not bad, But then again A 73 led system from aquastyle with dimmable divers is about $300 if ya do a little extra stuff yourself! I say ya do it and we can compare!lol! Let me know what ya think! I'm thinking go the aquastyle route, then save up $70 bucks if you think the drivers suck!