Arctic replacement diode

Greetings!

Would anyone confirm to me that it is sensible to replace (broken) Arctic diode with this one?

I am searching around but not much on this note.

The Arctic head assembly is quite friendly, it would be great to get a new diode!

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...kQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNF-xGmdE4UoTSG66ktPNSMvLs0GQw
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...EQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNGfqwm55xZqleuhViB9Nf9UWfVTVA

TL;DR never buy from awesomelasers.

Awesome Lasers is a Rip Off so stay away from them.

If You're new to Lasers I suggest You have a member here work on your Laser for You!

anselm said:

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...kQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNF-xGmdE4UoTSG66ktPNSMvLs0GQw
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...EQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNGfqwm55xZqleuhViB9Nf9UWfVTVA

TL;DR never buy from awesomelasers.

Click to expand...

HOLY %^$&!!!! I just read those entire threads! One of those threads directed me to another where I read about the past history of the owner...what a F^&%$ed up mental nutbag pile of S^%T he is! I actually visited his site before I joined this forum. I didn't buy from him as something just didn't seem right but I couldn't put my finger on it.

You're getting offtrack.

OP, sorry but replacing the diode inside the Arctic is very difficult. Arctic itself is very poorly constructed and it's nearly impossible to disassemble it without destroying inside electronics and connections.

Sorry.

Eudaimonium said:

You're getting offtrack.

OP, sorry but replacing the diode inside the Arctic is very difficult.

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Interesting. I have the head assembly of Arctic right in front of me and I can't see any sticker saying it's >very difficult< to replace the diode. So I've decided to think for myself and as an engineer, I find it rather easy to push old diode out and press new one in.

Eudaimonium said:

Arctic itself is very poorly constructed and it's nearly impossible to disassemble it without destroying inside electronics and connections.

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You've almost made me happy that I can do >nearly impossible<. However, your answer in this thread is very irrelevant indeed. I don't need to know that you hate the Arctic, okay?

Eudaimonium said:

Sorry.

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Okay.

Who says I hate it? I had two of them. Nice design and all, but all efforts are on the outside designs, nothing worked over inside details that matter.

You say you already have disassembled everything.

Impressive, since you do not know what 5.6mm diode package is, and that Arctic uses one, and it's most common package the 445nm diodes are distributed at, and whichever you buy will be compatible with existing module made inside the Arctic.

Also, since I can clearly see a hostility note in your tone in the reply, would you kindly remind me never to try to help you again? Okay, thanks.

OK2BCK said:

Interesting. I have the head assembly of Arctic right in front of me and I can't see any sticker saying it's >very difficult< to replace the diode. So I've decided to think for myself and as an engineer, I find it rather easy to push old diode out and press new one in.

Click to expand...

Well, when or if you get the thing back together again with a new diode, make a tutorial.

I would like to see that too! Not saying you can't do it or anything, but I'm sure there are a few members(myself included) that would love to upgrade their Arctics with a different driver and diode to make it a true 1W.

Delorean Geek said:

I would like to see that too! Not saying you can't do it or anything, but I'm sure there are a few members(myself included) that would love to upgrade their Arctics with a different driver and diode to make it a true 1W.

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There is nothing wrong with the diode in the Arctic. It comes from the same sources that we use.

The problems come with the drivers, the quality control, their customer service, and the "cleanliness" of the lasers.

I have successfully replaced diodes in Arctics. It is just problematic to unscrew and re-screw the heat sink without breaking wires, pins, and driver contacts. If you get it apart and back together again, then it is no problem

Most often, driver failure is the reason for Arctic failz. When the driver fails, it becomes an entirely new problem to disassemble and re-assemble one. The Arctic was NOT built to be disassembled and re-assembled. When it is a driver failure, I usually replace the entire internals with better components (large, custom heat sink; Boost or flex driver; better quality lens; variable focus; better battery). The rebuilt laser is MUCH nicer to work on and with after I rebuild it

The only real "loss" is that the battery indicator lights no longer work

Peace,
dave

Thanks for all the replies!


The Arctic's diode assembly is certainly not designed to be put apart easily which I'd say is driven by the manufacturing costs. When the diode heatsink is being unscrewed, which is about 8 or 9 turns, the wires feeding the diode become badly twisted which may damage the diode itself! I have come up with a solution to this: little round PCB which takes the diode's pins to be nicely secured and the feeding wires won't twist anything else but only themselves. (I have done this already and will post photos later)
I am not planning pulling the driver out as it is attached to the minus battery contact (spring) deep back in the body. In other words, I won't fix what is not broken.

The only issue I have is to get the right diode as a replacement. David is offering on his website high-powered 445nm diode and so far that is the only one I can find. The Arctic's driver suppose to give 1 Amp of current which is okay with David's diode.
After all, I might send him an email and ask for details.

I will put together photos of all stages of my repair and will post them up in new thread.

Thanks again for all replies and please, if someone knows where to source high powered 445nm diode in TO-18 package please let me know!

David is offering on his website high-powered 445nm diode and so far that is the only one I can find. The Arctic's driver suppose to give 1 Amp of current which is okay with David's diode.

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If you mean David Todeschini, don't!:banghead:
Didn't you read the threads I showed you? That man is a child molester, for cryin out loud!
If you need another diode, buy one here on the forum from "DTR" or "daguin".

anselm said:

If you mean David Todeschini, don't!:banghead:
Didn't you read the threads I showed you? That man is a child molester, for cryin out loud!
If you need another diode, buy one here on the forum from "DTR" or "daguin".

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We're less expensive and we don't overheat our diode pins either

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

We're less expensive and we don't overheat our diode pins either

Peace,
dave

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Wow, did I have it right in front of me all the time?
Just noticed in your signature.

Will get back to ya!


Peace

anselm said:

If you mean David Todeschini, don't!:banghead:
Didn't you read the threads I showed you? That man is a child molester, for cryin out loud!
If you need another diode, buy one here on the forum from "DTR" or "daguin".

Click to expand...

I did read the threads.
And I didn't know I can buy diode here!

Thanks mate

anselm said:

If you mean David Todeschini, don't!:banghead:
Didn't you read the threads I showed you? That man is a child molester, for cryin out loud!
If you need another diode, buy one here on the forum from "DTR" or "daguin".

Click to expand...

he's tried showing up on other laser enthusiast forums, every time with more and more ludicrous - even making duplicate accounts to support himself.
somewhat pathetic, really.