405 Problem and fix

Long ago, I built an 8x 405 into a Kryton Groove. Whatta burner !!! I was getting over 400 mW with a Jayrob G-1 lens and loving it. Measurements were 450 mW at 375 mA using a driver from DrLava. About a month later, the power dropped to 280 mW and the beam looked different. Remember that the 405 shows a "porch" on its output but this was different.



A split distorted output like a camel toe not usually found with this diode.
I finally looked into the diode and saw what I thought was a burn on the window. Attempting to clean it with acetone, the window fell into the LD and attempts to save it were a waste of time :cryyy:

I had a reserved pioneer 203 drive for back up. I harvested the diode and put it all together setting the current to 360 mA for a "safe" level. It's a burner again.



I can't believe the readings but it pops balloons at 25' and its stable.
Good start for the new year.

HMike

Holy crap!! That is one hell of a diode. Lucky!!

That's a hot one, Mike :drool:

Peace,
dave

The meter seems right with my other lasers. I can't believe this either.
I'm hoping for luck of the draw ! I'm not running this over about 1 minute occasionally.
Dave -- What did you get with a Pioneer 203 diode? I'm sure my meters are right and two Scientech agree.

HMike

Hemlock_Mike said:

The meter seems right with my other lasers. I can't believe this either.
I'm hoping for luck of the draw ! I'm not running this over about 1 minute occasionally.

HMike

Click to expand...

Arenared had/has one running almost this exact IP/OP.

Peace,
dave

**EDIT** The one I have set at 365mA (BDR-203) did 512mW new. It is still over 500mW