i just got a 8x blu-ray laser from dark that is putting out 411mw
its a very fine laser!

I would be pleased to add you in the 8x owners list, but I need to know the data I usually insert in the datasheet ; I don't know if your laser is one of the lasers I reported for darkarmyofone (they were to sell, he told). If you like, you can ask him, as he is not answering to my questions....

312mA, 431mW average in an mxdl host

Ok , now pls confirm these three more data:
1) the diode: it's a LG BH08 or a BDR-S03 or a BDR-203?
2) the driver: it's a V4 Flex?
3) the lens used: is a LarryDFW or a 405-G-1?

With these info, welcome in the 8x Members datasheet .....

you guys can add Brew to the list of 8x owners. he has an 8x bdr-203 in a kryton, 325mA with rkcstr driver powered by 2xCR123 batteries.
puts out 401mW with 405-g-1 lens lens.

You must mean 2 X RCR123 rechargeable, which would be 8.4 volts at full charge...

Brew, just out of curiosity, how long is the run time (at that output) with that diode in that configuration?

I would guess that the driver would start to drop out as soon as the supply voltage dropped below about 7.8 volts...

I'll be glad to add him to the list...., but what is Brew's nickname?

Oh, I've seen: BrewCityMusic?

Correction: See answer #65.

Franco,

I see you added your diode into the plots...

But i never sent you your PIV data!


It's a straight line right to where i stopped plotting...

But i should send you the numbers just so you can make a comparison graph...


What resolution is Daguin's data in?

I'd be really worried about damaging that expensive diode. I guess you just have to monitor the batteries carefully to make sure it doesn't go under 7.5V.

It shouldn't hurt the diode if the driver starts to 'drop out'. But it would just not be able to regulate the current that it is set for...

5mW

Peace,
dave

Doesn't the rkcstr go into oscillations when the voltage supply is under 2.25V + diode voltage?

Either way, I'm envious. I'm saving for an 8x in Kryton groove right now. Can't wait to see pics BMC!

Oh... if it does, then I did not know that. I figured it would act the same as a DDL driver, and just not be able to give the same amount of current...

Edit: I found this on the documentation: (just passing it along since the subject came up)

"Input voltage must also be MORE than 2.5VDC to properly enable the driver to operate.
Also, the input voltage has to be more than 2.25V over the voltage of the laser diode
(example: a 3V red laser diode would require the driver to have more than 5.25V to the
input). Also, if using a battery, voltage drop as it discharges should be considered. If the
voltage is less than the necessary 2.25V overhead, the current output of the driver will
start to decrease (becomes unregulated), which will be noticed by a decreased output of
the laser diode. THIS WILL NOT HARM THE DRIVER OR DIODE! It merely tells you that
you need to charge your batteries. *Also, be aware that if you are setting the current on
your driver, that you provide adequate voltage for whatever load you have connected to
the driver, otherwise you may get a false current reading if the driver does not have
enough voltage to regulate the current."

Hi Igor,
maybe you don't remember, you are too much busy, but in date 09/09/2009 I received from you an E-Mail with an excel file (FrancoG BDR-203BK Plot.xls) containing Current, Voltage and P(Optical) data. Hence the plots.
You can find Dave data at #41 and #116 in the "Tutorial, Help & Repair - Pioneer 8x Blu-Ray-- BDR-203" Thread.

This show me the necessity to "trace" the data source in my excel datasheets.....

Mohrenberg:

I need to modify my answer #57. For a correctness rule, and to avoid unpleasant misunderstandings/discussions, I'll be glad to insert new 8x Owner members in the datasheet (or to add upgraded data) ONLY if the data are coming directly from the owners ,which are the only responsibles of deciding to support the Forum (or not) with their witness.

I think that, more or less, (with the exception of some really new members) a good number of 8x BR interested members have seen my datasheets, so they know what are the data I need. It is sufficient to PM me, or to write the complete dataset in an answer. Partial data are unuseful for the Forum experience knowledge, so I regret to be not able to add them.

Very cool Dave, but i later realized we were wasting our time....

I had to test so many diodes, and since the 6x's don't have kinks, i later started testing in 10mA and after that in 20mA resolution.


After 40 diodes, in some cases i even started the plot at 120mA and only tested in 40mA steps up to 200mA for GGWs.... It was enough to see if the diode was good and to calculate the current from the differential efficiency...



Thing is, i realized it's impossible to skip a kink if one simple thing is checked. That every step - regardless if small or big - creates the same power increase, there is no kink in between. A kink would create a drop in power at any given step, so it would be noticable in a five step graph!


If a diode had a kink, it would have a lower end power, and a lower increase at one of the steps....



So i was able to plot more diodes in less time, after that, which made my life easier when i had to test 78 GGWs!

The forum backfired so often that i lost the right post to quote until just now!



You don't have to guess, Jayrob, because you know that to be a fact! It can be tested easily from a simple PSU.



Besides, at that current, the voltage would also sag to 7.8V immediatelly, simply from the draw, before any discharging!


BrewCityMusic: That laser is built in a dangerous way! A way that could even destroy the diode in the worst case...

Listen to Jay, he knows his stuff!




I'd guess the laser is only at said power on completelly full batteries...
A configuration like that would run best off three Li-Ions..


To get them into a flashlight that is not ridiculously long you'd need a 3xAAA host...

With a linear driver it'll get very hot, so it better have a good heatsink too..



If it was my $200 diode, i'd do a transplant... A single Li-Ion for power, a high efficiency DC/DC converter for the driver, so as to create no heat..

I don't even have a new 8x diode.....


But laser could be smaller, and more stable at the same time (lack of heat does wonders when it comes stability as does constant current!)...


Altho at this point, just giving the linear driver enough voltage to operate, would make the laser more stable.

Give it three batteries and the driver will actually keep the current THE SAME right to the moment the batteries are flat - that's what drivers are made for... Not for your power to drop as the batteries discharge....



I think i need to explain how linear drivers work again.

Basically they regulate the current, by burning off all the power the diode doesn't need, converting it to heat.

In goes one voltage and one current, out comes another - lower voltage and same current. That means there is a power difference between in and out. That difference is converted to heat.


For that, they need more voltage than the minimum, and not just on full batteries. Another thing drivers are good at is keeping the current the same till the batteries go empty. That way your power is the same every time you turn the laser ON. Lasers are not supposed to drop in power as the batteries discharge!

A BluRay diode usually has needs around 5.6V. The driver needs 2.25-5V. So the minimum is actually as high as 8.1V!

Two Li-Ions are never enough for a BluRay powered by a linear driver....


A safe calculation should be higher than the minimums, on EMPTY batteries, not on full!


That means you need to have MORE THAN 8.1V when your batteries are empty.

Three EMPTY Li-Ions have 3x2.7V = 8.1V... That's why you need three...



Rkcstr's driver can easily accept 12V that three full Li-Ions will have. The diode will actually be SAFER if you give the driver what it needs!


However, you might not even know what current your driver is set to, if you didn't set it from the correct voltage!



May i ask what your dummy load was and the power source during setup?

LG BH08LS20 diode
Flexdrive (V4) set at 370mA
JayRob Key Chain CR2 Kit
405-G-1 lens (JayRob)
440mW output



Peace,
dave

**EDIT** @ IgorT -- This diode/lens combo has got wings

That's a sweet build Dave!


Yes, my BDR 8X/405-G-1 also has the 'splash'. Maybe not quite as pronounced as with a PHR, but also, maybe I don't care that much, with it burning everything that it touches!

Yeah. The focus ring really helps with this one. I cannot put my finger in front of the lens

Peace,
dave

Daguin:

8x Users datasheet updated.

That looks AWESOME!


Did you get a second drive, Dave?!?

That would do 410mW+ even with my lens, altho the current is a little high...

But the laser is a keychain! I NEED that host like last month..

Yep!


I also got one for youuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Peace,
dave

What?

Where?!?

Oh, you got me an LG drive!