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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388MG






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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Looks awesome :wave:

Isn't it though! Now if only someone would put a laser in one and nicely document the build with some photos. :whistle:
 

rhd

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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Now I know you guys are just screwing with me..... RIGHT... ???
 
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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Now I know you guys are just screwing with me..... RIGHT... ???

Consider it an early house warming gift!

Your reply actually had me laughing out loud literally. I'm sure my wife thinks I've gone mad. :D
 

rhd

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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

The next stage -> tonight.

"Pushing the diode" :)

I haven't decided how far I'll go. I'm going to start at recommended current and increase in 10mA internals, while resting the aixiz on an ice cube.
 
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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Isn't 1.5x the recommended current a generally accepted maximum and anything higher will probably kill it?
 

rhd

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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Isn't 1.5x the recommended current a generally accepted maximum and anything higher will probably kill it?

I don't know of any generally accepted rule of that sort. Doesn't seem right either. We push 405 and 445 diodes above 1.5x datasheet levels all the time.
 
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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

Must have been in my head then, I remember reading somewhere that anything more than 50% of the rated power will generally kill a diode. Never mind, must have been hallucinating (my mind has been all sorts of mucked-up lately...).
 

Helios

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Re: The next move - a 250mW + 637nm HL6388M

The 445nm diodes are 900mA max rated I believe but many of us double that. Even going beyond doesnt kill the diode it just stops lasing until the current is dropped again.

Its all specific to the diode. I am very interested to see how this one performs! I hope you brought a camera with you in the move.
 

rhd

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So far - I'm calling a big "BOOO" on this diode:

200mA - 50mW
250mA - 75mW
300mA - 90mW - getting warm, ice cube added
320mA - 100mW - still warm, even with ice cube
350mA - 110mW
380mA - 120mW

Keep in mind that the datasheet lists typical operating current at 340mA and typical output power at 250mW CW.

I've thus far pushed it above "typical" current (though not yet to the datasheet max of 430mA) and I'm seeing returns of less than half the "typical" output power as rated by the datasheet. As a sanity check, I tested some known lasers, and the LaserBee is dead on.

Another thing to make note of, is the fact that this diode gets warm at around 300mA / 100mW output. I am substantially less impressed with this diode as compared to the HL63133DG. I'm going to increase the current above the 380mA above, and observe.
 
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rhd

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400mA - 130mW
430mA - 142mW

This is very odd. I'm not going to increase power any further.

There's something up with this diode from Avnetexpress.
 
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Helios

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Thats disappointing. I know diode exchanges are frowned upon but this is may be a different type of scenario. Maybe send it back and have them test it if they are willing.
 

rhd

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Thats disappointing. I know diode exchanges are frowned upon but this is may be a different type of scenario. Maybe send it back and have them test it if they are willing.

I've contacted Avnet to see what they suggest. I know of someone else on these boards who had their 6388MG-A from Avnet die within the datasheet current range.

I question whether the "-A" might truly mean this is a different version or binof the diode.

If Avnet doesn't swap this for something better, it's still pretty cool. I have no need for it with a 200mW HL63133DG, so I'll probably just limit the output to 120mW, and see if anyone is interested in picking their own host, and buying this guy as a working pointer.
 

rhd

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Now this is VERY strange.

I clicked my power supply back on, at the 430mA right off the bat. This guy LPM'd at 175mW.

I wonder if it's just not a very "enduring" diode, in the sense that the 3 minute ramp up to 430mA taxed it.

175mW, considering it is going through an aixiz acrylic red-coated, is a lot closer to what it should be.
 

rhd

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I'm going to try a glass lens, see what happens -

EDIT: Half-threaded Aixiz 445nm glass hits 195mW at 430mA, I'm very surprised that this lens performs better than qumefox's red coated acrylic.
 
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