help figuring out where I went wrong...

So I had something curious happen to one of my builds the other night. the one in question is a jayrob 18650 build with a v5 flexdrive. I was running a 405nm diode at 600mA and it was working great for several weeks. now, normally I store my lasers with the batteries out, to include when I carry them around. I only install the battery when I intend to actually turn the laser on. about equal parts safety and ocd to blame for that habit. earlier this week I was showing off said 405 build, and I left the battery in afterward. about an hour or so later I was asked to show it off again, and I discovered that my laser did not work any longer. after getting home I took a closer look and it is still putting out light, just not the lovely monochromatic light that it is supposed to.

so, long-winded explanation of what happened aside - what in the world could I have done incorrectly in my assembly or handling of my laser that could cause leaving the battery in to do such damage?

also - first post! =D

Hi and welcome to LPF! :beer:

what is the diode? from a 12X BR Sled?

it might not live long at 600mA... maybe that's the reason it died...

at 500mA should run a long healthy life...
i don't think that leaving the batteries inside would have done any damage... I always leave them inside

EDIT: or maybe you ran it for too long the previous time and it was damaged from running too hot? just guessing here.. did you build it yourself or you bought a complete one?

did you try fresh batteries? don't look TOO CLOSE(DIRECTLY)!!!! to see if it is putting any light.. you can damage your eyes quite easily and permanently ! :

Looks like your diode is worn out.. Leaving the batteries in wil have no affect as long as the laser is turned off (open circuit)

What you can do:

- Try new battery (maybe turned in on somewhere accidently?)
- Try another diode

If it works again with another diode then adjust your driver to a slightly lower current.

don't EVERRR look into the diode :angel:

greetings,,

I built it myself. The diode was indeed a 12x, and I have a few extras that I suspect are the same (got extras since I knew I was running it a little high, I just wanted to see what it would look like). I have tried it with two different batteries, and then I tried both batteries with my 445nm build, which works fine with either of them.

so long as there isn't a likely reason other than just that I burned it out, I feel a bit better taking it apart to stick the replacement diode in (and maybe turning the power down a bit). I'm not particularly experienced with electronics, so I didn't know if there was something I was overlooking.

EDIT: and yes, I am quite aware never to look into a powered diode. or any other laser light source. I am inexperienced with assembling my own electronics, but reasonably well versed with lab lasers.

Could you tell something more about he host and driver? Just interested :shhh:

both the builds I have now are in the following host:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-18650-build-kit-easy-assembly-445nm-blu-ray-red-43857.html

and both are using v5 flexdrives, the 405 set to 600mA, the 445 set to 1.5A. Jay actually set up the flexdrive on the 445, so it's thermal glued to the host such that the whole thing is a heat sink.

I haven't got a camera at the moment, so I can't take pictures or anything. perhaps I will stop being lazy and purchase a smartphone one of these days. though perhaps not, as I've still got better things to spend my money on (like more lasers). =D