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FS: Jibs Linear Drivers

rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

xivlia said:
hmm i think the batteries are fine
but i only built it today :S could it be the driver? i may have shortened out something maybe thats caused it? im pretty sure the diode is fine.. is there any way i can test to see if the component are working or not?
Click to expand...

Do you have a test load? I would first see what current, if any, the driver is putting out. If its putting the ~1300ma that is expected, the diode has issues. Did you test the voltage of the batteries with a DMM?
 





steviedezie

steviedezie

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

you MUST test first but from my own experience...

no light at all, either means (1) its really dead OR (2) something else is wrong, like bad contacts or driver issues, so thats save-able.

dim light = almost 99.99% of the time dead diode...or expensive LED

i personally cringe when i see dim light in my lasers... i'd rather have no light at all...then at least theres a change the diode is still ok
 
rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

I agree with stevie...these 445 diodes are much more robust than the 405 or 650 diodes, but they are still sensitive. Overcurrent, overheating, ESD, shock from impact, and reversed polarity are just a few of the killers of diodes. I hope I'm wrong for your sake, though.

I always use a test load first.
 
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xivlia

xivlia

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

hmm i dont have any tools for measuring current etc. what things do i exactly need to measure output current etc. and what can i use as a dummy load?
 
Last edited:
rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

xivlia said:
hmm i dont have any tools for measuring current etc. what things do i exactly need to measure output current etc. and what can i use as a dummy load?
Click to expand...

In order to measure current, you will need a digital multimeter (DMM) and a test load. A test load is a circuit comprised of diodes (4 for red, 6 for violet/blue) and a resistor. You hook the test load to your driver and read the mv on either side of the resistor. mv = ma. You can build a test load or buy them. If you want, I can sell one to you:D. I build 3A test loads that pretty much take any current that todays laser diodes require without burning up the test diodes.
 
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xivlia

xivlia

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

help please lol im dying to use the laser but i cant. tomorrow im going to use the schools DMM to test batteries. but how can i test the driver to see if its outputting any current? would i just use a DMM for that also, if so...which parts do i put the DMM connections on the driver? sorry for the questions its my first build and im annoyed that its not working.
 
xivlia

xivlia

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

ahh u typed that while i was typing this lol okay :p
 
xivlia

xivlia

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

rocket689 said:
In order to measure current, you will need a digital multimeter (DMM) and a test load. A test load is a circuit comprised of diodes (4 for red, 6 for violet/blue) and a resistor. You hook the test load to your driver and read the mv on either side of the resistor. mv = ma. You can build a test load or buy them. If you want, I can sell one to you:D. I build 3A test loads that pretty much take any current that todays diodes require without burning up the diodes.
Click to expand...

hmm. ive got no money left. but how much do you sell them for? il take it into consideration :D
 
rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

Try searching "test loads" or" dummy load" to see how to build one ;)
 
rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

The test load is required to simulate the voltage drop and load of a laser diode without wrecking an actual LD so you can't just use a dmm
 
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xivlia

xivlia

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

hmm okay. i will build a test load tomorrow and try and see what the problem is. thanks for the help guys. :) also. i dont have a DMM but i tested my batteries buy shortening each one out...first one. heated up almost un touchable..thats normal. becuase its loosing huge amounts of current thus generating heat..but the second battery didnt heat up at all when i shortened it. maybe its the battery? who knows. i will test it tomorrow.
 
rocket689

rocket689

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

It could very well be a bad battery. If you don't have enough voltage, the laser will be dim. Good luck! ;)
 
LaZeRz

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

Wow nice new drivers :D
well i have 1 question, do i have to short + and - before connecting it to my diode?
should of asked before :D
 
rhd

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

Yep! - To discharge the cap.
 
jib77

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Re: FS: LM1117 Linear Driver - 1.3A Fixed

Yup always discharge the cap ... they may be small but they are 10uf's and they hold enough of a charge to zap these diodes without a problem.
 
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