12x BR DIODES

yobresal · Feb 18, 2010

Dang, that sure seems like it matches the output of many 8X diodes at that current. Probably will last longer though.

Hemlock_Mike · Feb 18, 2010

a HALF WATT from a keychain:thinking: A year ago, that was impossible.

Nice work ---

HMike

daguin · Feb 18, 2010

yobresal said:
Dang, that sure seems like it matches the output of many 8X diodes at that current. Probably will last longer though.

If you look at the graph in the OP, as Mike observed, it looks like we are seeing two distinct grouping of diodes. One of the groups looks a lot like 8X's. The other has higher efficiency. We don't seem to have a clue yet whether any particular diode will predictably fall into either group.

Peace,
dave

pianoman2011 · Feb 18, 2010

Dang, that sure seems like it matches the output of many 8X diodes at that current. Probably will last longer though.

Yea, it's not the best efficiency 12x diode, but still >500mW at a decent current so I'm happy!

a HALF WATT from a keychain:thinking: A year ago, that was impossible.

Nice work ---

HMike

Thank you

I was tempted to put it up to 600mW, but I want this baby to last!

And BTW I read multiple times about your >1W for 3 seconds experience... These 12x diodes are straight beasts!

-Jakob

P.S. Much thanks to Daguin and JayRob for all the help on this build!

yobresal · Feb 18, 2010

Hemlock_Mike said:
a HALF WATT from a keychain:thinking: A year ago, that was impossible.

Nice work ---

HMike

Good point! when you put it that way it does seem remarkable. A year ago i would have not believed this. I love that CR2 kit. It is my favorite Hayrob kit. I used to have one.

jayrob · Feb 18, 2010

pianoman2011 said:
Yea, it's not the best efficiency 12x diode, but still >500mW at a decent current so I'm happy!

Thank you I was tempted to put it up to 600mW, but I want this baby to last!

And BTW I read multiple times about your >1W for 3 seconds experience... These 12x diodes are straight beasts!

-Jakob

P.S. Much thanks to Daguin and JayRob for all the help on this build!

I think it's safe to say that you have the smallest regulated current class 4 laser!

Congratulations! :gj:

pianoman2011 · Feb 18, 2010

I think it's save to say that you have the smallest regulated current class 4 laser!

Congratulations! :gj:

As you would say... SCHWEET!

-Jakob

Exerd · Feb 18, 2010

Whew. It has been a long week and I had to disappear for a few days. I'm trying to get a computer shop up and running and it has been hectic this week.

No work tomorrow, and tonight I will finally get back to the shop to play with some lasers!

I'm starting to get a bold feeling inside about running this high-efficiency diode I have. I think I'm going to set it somewhere around 460mA and see how long it lasts. 700mW+ in a hand-held just rubs me the right way.

If it burns up quick, what the hell.

I sold my first 12X BR 18650 build and 307mW @ 420mA 650nm build to a guy locally who drooled over seeing them in person and he handed me $950 cash for both combined! That made me happy.

I plan on buying more and more of these BDR-205s, and I really don't care about burning them up to have my fun. My previous hobby was high-power rocketry, and it was not uncommon to watch a $200 rocket motor burn up in 4 seconds. Now I just attend launches to watch others burn their ammonium perchlorate.

Based on that kind of previous expense, I'm sure I'll get my fun out these diodes running hot--even if they don't last more than an hour. Running on the edge never nets reliability. And hey, it's all part of the fun!

daguin · Feb 18, 2010

Exerd said:
Whew. It has been a long week and I had to disappear for a few days. I'm trying to get a computer shop up and running and it has been hectic this week.
No work tomorrow, and tonight I will finally get back to the shop to play with some lasers!
I'm starting to get a bold feeling inside about running this high-efficiency diode I have. I think I'm going to set it somewhere around 460mA and see how long it lasts. 700mW+ in a hand-held just rubs me the right way.
If it burns up quick, what the hell.
I sold my first 12X BR 18650 build and 307mW @ 420mA 650nm build to a guy locally who drooled over seeing them in person and he handed me $950 cash for both combined! That made me happy.
I plan on buying more and more of these BDR-205s, and I really don't care about burning them up to have my fun. My previous hobby was high-power rocketry, and it was not uncommon to watch a $200 rocket motor burn up in 4 seconds. Now I just attend launches to watch others burn their ammonium perchlorate. Based on that kind of previous expense, I'm sure I'll get my fun out these diodes running hot--even if they don't last more than an hour. Running on the edge never nets reliability. And hey, it's all part of the fun!

THAT is the spirit that leads us all into he future!

+1

Peace,
dave

Exerd · Feb 18, 2010

daguin said:
THAT is the spirit that leads us all into he future!

+1

Peace,
dave

Thanks, Dave.

Jayrob, I ordered another module from Susie about 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't shown up. :undecided: I'll have to message her tonight and make sure the thing was actually shipped.

P.S. Those looking for cheap BR safety glasses, go to Wal-Mart and get the yellow Remington shooting glasses.

I tried another yellow pair from a no-name brand just out of curiosity, and the dot still looked pretty bright. On the other hand, the Remington glasses make the dot look very dim, and seem to be blocking light down to a safe level. I think they are under $10.

I'll have to check the percentage they block by shining through a pair onto the meter, but to me it sure looks safe.

Exerd · Feb 18, 2010

UPDATE:

This is GOOFY! I just checked the output of the V5 Flexdrive that was hitting near 700mW assembled in the 18650 host.

Unassembled, on the output meter and amperage meter, it is still set at .40A, and doing 611mW now on a fresh battery. So the pot seems to have not been bumped one bit. Yet when it went together the second time, I was getting way more output. Even on the first assembly, it was hitting 626mW. Now, it's right in line with the power supply plot figure. This is beyond my recognition. :thinking:

I'll assemble it again and see if output shoots through the roof.

I'm on lunch...back to work for a few.

yobresal · Feb 18, 2010

Sweet! What meter are you using to test your laser?

daguin · Feb 18, 2010

Exerd said:
UPDATE:

This is GOOFY! I just checked the output of the V5 Flexdrive that was hitting near 700mW assembled in the 18650 host.

Unassembled, on the output meter and amperage meter, it is still set at .40A, and doing 611mW now on a fresh battery. So the pot seems to have not been bumped one bit. Yet when it went together the second time, I was getting way more output. Even on the first assembly, it was hitting 626mW. Now, it's right in line with the power supply plot figure. This is beyond my recognition. :thinking:

I'll assemble it again and see if output shoots through the roof.

I'm on lunch...back to work for a few.

All speculation at this point --

Maybe something "pressed against" the pot when you assembled it

Maybe you are operating at the edge of the flexdrive's ability to handle the voltage/current and so it is acting strange.

Then again, maybe the bees have actually taken up residence in your laser

Peace,
dave

jayrob · Feb 18, 2010

daguin said:
All speculation at this point --

Maybe something "pressed against" the pot when you assembled it

Maybe you are operating at the edge of the flexdrive's ability to handle the voltage/current and so it is acting strange.

Then again, maybe the bees have actually taken up residence in your laser

Peace,
dave

The red text is the reason I would guess...

This would be a good question for drlava. But he has developed a new driver that is a boost only driver which can
handle up to 13 volts of diode demand!

It is very close to the same size (9.1mm X 12.6mm) as the V5 FlexDrive, and takes 2.7 to 6 volts input supply.

I have not tested this driver yet. I am saving it for my next 12X, or hopefully even a 16X. (or what ever comes next)

I believe he may have sent one to you as well Dave... Did you get one?

Slipstream · Feb 19, 2010

Hi Franco , here is my entry into the 12x diodes

Plextor 12x diode
480mA
730mw
LarryDFW lens
Misterwilling host
Flexdrive v5

The money shot:

Exerd · Feb 19, 2010

Alright guys, I did some testing and all looks to be OK.

I have set my 18650 slim host V5 drive current at 470mA, just for you guys (not really, truthfully it's just for me :na

. Lets see how fast I can cook this baby. :eg:

I tested amperage, and it takes about 15-20 seconds to stabilize at 470mA. It starts at about 450mA, then walks back and forward around 450-470mA, then it finally starts to stabilize at 470mA. The output sits around 721mW, slowly creeps back towards about 712mW, then reverses and heads towards 721mW again. It sort of does this "walk" back and forward while the laser is turned on, but seems to be hanging within a small range of mAs, which appears acceptable to me.

Daguin, I noticed that I am passed that "kink" you talked about before, where you said a diode should stay under that point. I'm interested in knowing what scientific evidence you have discovered that relate these "kinks" in the efficiency curve to diode life.

EDIT: And yeah, focused to a pin prick about 2 inches in front, WOW. Just an orange slicing pinprick. It cuts a 1/10mm slot through electric tape as fast as you can move the thing! AMAZING at this power level.

12x BR DIODES

yobresal

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Hemlock_Mike

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yobresal

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Exerd

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