Mitsu @ 1400mA: Life Expectancy?

Hey everybody. I am contemplating a 638nm Mitsu build running at 1400mA like BowtieGuy did with his "Lil'Dragon". But I am ever so slightly concerned with the projected lifetime of the diode.

Most of us probably know that diodes are typically rated for 5000 hours when run at their rated power. But even 1000 hours of lasing is a long time such that, unless it is our favorite laser ever, we will likely not see it fail from usage I imagine.

• Does anyone have experience running these suckers at such a high current?
• How obvious was the red shift towards 650?
• If you have or have seen both, how close is it in brightness to a 638 at 850mA?
• How long did it, or has it, last[ed]?

wannaburnstuff said:

Hey everybody. I am contemplating a 638nm Mitsu build running at 1400mA like BowtieGuy did with his "Lil'Dragon". But I am ever so slightly concerned with the projected lifetime of the diode.

Most of us probably know that diodes are typically rated for 5000 hours when run at their rated power. But even 1000 hours of lasing is a long time such that, unless it is our favorite laser ever, we will likely not see it fail from usage I imagine.

• Does anyone have experience running these suckers at such a high current?
• How obvious was the red shift towards 650?
• If you have or have seen both, how close is it in brightness to a 638 at 850mA?
• How long did it, or has it, last[ed]?

Click to expand...

They CAN live long at that current

I would recommend that you plot the diode you buy if you can and then set the current :beer:

Hey Isaac, l like the idea of a longevity poll.
I think if you did as shokkunlasers said, you would know if your particular diode could handle the power.
I, on the other hand just went for it, after having read multiple threads of members going to 1400mA and even higher!
My thinking is like yours, even at a reduced lifespan, hell, even only 100 hrs. I'll probably never use it up!

I really do like your last option in the poll; because you know there are people just waiting for it to go poof!

Isaac Ive built a few at that current and they are all going strong! One I've just finished and will sell, once I get the time to take some pics, does a little over 1.2 W. My personal one is 1.1 W and 6 months old already! They seem to handle the current well! ATB :beer:

I have had one burn out that was doing about 1.1W. not sure what the current was at

I've become a fan of builds that contact the back of the diode with either the heat sink or a plate which contacts the heat sink, so if I were you I would implement this idea, especially on high power builds

Check out the red laser section, recent release of a 700mW 638nm that might work better, just saying

Hi ,

I have built some lasers with this diode at @1400mA.

This diode can live at that current. I never saw one died so ... :beer: