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405nm laser dimming problem.

belmaktor

belmaktor

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I bought a 5mw 405nm laser for $55 and for the first 2 weeks it worked fine. Then one day I turned it on and I could barley even see the dot. Then I shook it a little bit and it went it went back to normal power. Its been switching back and forth between powers for a few days now. Any ideas of what is wrong? Can it be easily fixed? And before you ask yes I have checked the batteries.
 





silvercookie

silvercookie

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when you shake it does anything rattle?
maybe the spring on the tail cap isnt pressing hard enough and the connection is shitty.

or something might be grounding out.
 
BShanahan14rulz

BShanahan14rulz

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if you don't push the button as hard, or if you press it harder, does it have an effect on output?
 
Drivinfast247

Drivinfast247

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I see that you checked the batteries, did you try changing them for the heck of it?
 
belmaktor

belmaktor

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I did notice that the batteries were shaking a little and I did consider this as a possible cause. I tried rolling up some paper and sticking it down the battery tube to make it a snugger fit. But the problem still persists although it isn't as frequent.
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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I found from the start with BR diodes that the window is a weak spot in the assembly. When you shine it a little unfocused, do you notice an odd shaped or dirty output? Also slowly rotate it and watch for a change. The window may be loose inside the LD.

HMike
 
belmaktor

belmaktor

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Oh wow your completly right! It worked exactly as you described. Now is there a way to fix this?
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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I had it happen to a 6x last week. I tried decanning the diode and it died :angel: Maybe someone here has a suggestion. I've had this happen three times and I've never recovered one. Don't even think super glue.

HMike
 
belmaktor

belmaktor

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Well I hope somebody has a suggesstion because I cant really afford a replacement. It said that it was under warranty. I really hope I still have all the information I need to send it back.
 
Hemlock_Mike

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At 5 mW, I believe that you have one of the older 4 lead, three color diodes we first experimented with. They were expensive back then and I was the first to kill one -- loose window problem. Today, I think the diodes are rather cheap if you know how to change the diode and have the tools.

HMike
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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Where did all the help go? It got godawful quiet here!
Check your warranty and maybe post a picture of the laser host. What cells does it use? Does it have a boost driver? Etc etc

HMike
 
belmaktor

belmaktor

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Ok so im not really an expert on the components of lasers. All I really know about the workings of a laser is that in the diode there is a lasing medium with a mirrior on the back and a half silvered output mirror on the front. When the lasing medium is excited it creates light of a single wavelength which bounces between the 2 mirriors and gets brighter and goes through the half silvered output mirror. I don't really know anything beyond that.

So where does my loose window come into this picture? Is it the half silvered output mirror? An explaniation would be helpful.
 
Hemlock_Mike

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I see all the helpful posters have abandoned you. DUH .
9,000+ members and only a few with real building / test experience.

I don't know what you have there - a picture would help. BUT no matter what, that diode is hurt and likely not your fault. In order to fix it, the diode needs to be removed and probably replaced. The window is a thin piece of glass with an AR coating intended to protect the actual diode chip from dust and environment.
Again, I don't know what you have there -- boost driver? - 3 cells? -- etc.

If you can't get warranty, your choices are limited to learning how to repair it yourself or finding one of the few here who can repair it - likely with a new diode.

HMike
 
belmaktor

belmaktor

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Ok ill post pictures tomarrow. I would of done it now except it informed me that I had to resize all the pictures and its too late tonight for me to deal with that now. For now I can tell you that its a tube wide enough to hold AAA batteries and the interior components seem pretty wedged in there. Do you have any ideas on how to get it out without running a huge risk of completly breaking the whole thing? Im sure that's what you need to see because I cant tell how to figure out if there is a boost driver or the number cells. Thanks for all the help:yh:
 
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