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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Need help troubleshooting my design...

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Dec 9, 2009
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About a month ago I started my venture to create my own laser pointer. After doing a bit of research and finding out exactly what was needed, I went fourth and purchased some diodes and a driver.

For the LD's i bought 4 of these from eBay looks like they are SLD1236VL

250mw 650nm Burning Red Laser Diode USA 3 Day Ship - eBay (item 270498428772 end time Dec-18-09 13:06:50 PST)

and

two of these blue rays

405nm 280mw burning blu-ray laser diode. USA 3 day ship - eBay (item 270494380406 end time Dec-11-09 17:50:28 PST)

for the driver I decided to go with the MicroFlexDrive V5 so I got two of them to start with.

For my host I decided to use a AA Mag light since I may offer a kit in the future and also because mag lights can be found everywhere.

Now instead of using the existing mag light head I designed a new head to fit on the Mag light and had my Machinist friend make it for me out of aluminum. the new head accepts the Aixiz LD housing and then mounts on the mag light using 3 set screws.

i also purchased a new tail cap switch from Night Eyes so that I could turn my pointer on and off as needed. (link below)

AA MINI MAGLITE PUSH BUTTON TAIL CAP ON OFF SWITCH NEW - eBay (item 390118647345 end time Dec-14-09 12:32:57 PST)

WOW, I assembled the pointer and started burning stuff and showing my friends, everything worked great.

But after a couple of days I burned out one red LD Then I decided to replace it with a blue ray to see what that would be like. WOW I like the blue ray. But it too burned out two days later.

So here is my dilemma Im burning out LD's and need to figure out why.

the current in on this drive was set to 322mA I used a dummy load and preset it myself using my fluke 88 multimeter. I don't think I'm over heating the diodes since the new head/heat sink is definitely large enough to dissipate the heat. I think it may be and electrostatic problem, because the Blue ray died right after I changed the batteries in the flashlight.

After looking at the diagrams of the MicroFlexDrive V5 here a second time

http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/MicroFlexDrive_V5_manual.pdf

I think I may have figured the problem but I need some insight and guidance from this forum.

if you look at the PDF wiring diagrams for the MicroFlexDrive V5 drive
you will see 4 diagrams. one for case negative(top) the next two are for case positive isolated and just case positive, the last one is for case neutral blue ray. I followed the case negative digram since I was working with a red LD and then a Blue ray.

Now I know most of you have seen or have a AA Mag Light. when you remove the head you are left with a tiny krypton bulb, when you remove the bulb you have two tiny holes one is + and one -.

Coming out of my new head I have two wires that are connected to the MicroFlexDrive V5. one is positive and one is negative....when I assemble my pointer I simply tin the ends of the wires and insert them into the two holes of the mag light housing then i set the head in place with the set screws and wallah mag light laser pointer.

My question is do you think I am burning out diodes because the negative wire from the MicroFlexDrive V5 is connected to the housing should I leave this negative unconnected like it is shown in the MicroFlexDrive V5 PDF diagrams. the only other difference I can see between my design and the diagram is that the negative is being switched on/off instead of the positive like in the diagram, but i don't think this should be a problem.

if not can you give me some insight to help me trouble shoot this problem.
i don't want to burn up any more LD's :cryyy:

Thanks in advance for any help

Noros7
 
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No, you are most likely killing them by having to long of a run time (Duty Cycle) or by having the current set to high.

Keep the run times under a minute.
As for the current....that all depends on the diode that you are using.
 
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well I only leave the pointer on for max 15 sec's and that's a high estimate. I've never even come close to 1 min.... Again the current was set at 322mA right in the range of the requirements for the blue ray. its almost like there is some residual charge left in the driver or something and when I change the batteries and put the tail cap back on. BAM burned out LD.
 
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322mA :drool:

I highly doubt that this is a safe level of current for that diode.
At that price range and power output, I would guess that it is most likely a 6X diode.

180mA is a safe power level for a 6X diode. 210mA would be pushing it. Anything higher than that would give the diode a very short life.

6X diodes @ 180mA to 210mA will put out about 200mW with a good lense.

I think that seller lied to you...
 
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i think the problem here would be the blu-ray...
U bought that one, and by the price id say it to be a sf-aw210 or in max a ggw-h20l...8x would never cost 39$...at least from respectful sellers.

A ggw or a sf-aw210 SHOULD NEVER be pushed for 300mA! if u want them to last of course.
I think it was daguin who once got a freak sf-aw210 that was able to operate at 300mA, not sure though.

Try to get ur current in 170mA tops... Id say that would fix ur problem, based only in the price of the diode, and regarding it as a SF-AW210.

But then again, im not the real expert around here, so let them see ur problem, and they will answer for sure, just give them a bit more time.

Hope everything goes the best way now,
José
 
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I think that seller lied to you...


i dont think that...I'M SURE he lied...its most prolly a 6x, or in worst case a PHR, and he is selling it for 400% profit.

get it around 170-180mA...it burns, its bright, and it will last a fair ammount of time
and iskor12 answered while i was writing xD
 
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it's all good. Your spot on with your answer. :) 170mA should give it a long life with good burning capabilities.
 
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All right then, thanks a lot guys.

with that in mind, can you point me in the right direction for some new LD's

red and blue ray

bear in mind that I want to make a high power pointer that will last... the more current the better, using the design I have created.

As promised here's the photos of the final design.

Niros 7


BTW after seeing the blue ray burn stuff instantly, including my own skin.....I'm hooked....and like Lexus says "the relentless pursuit of perfection" is on
 

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I just asked the Seller which sled the LD came out of..."bacause I don't
want to over power the Laser Diode"...:D
Waiting for a response.... We'll see what he says...


Jerry
 
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thanks J, I sent him an email too with the link of this post to see what he has to say...when I bought them he swore that his diodes were solid and asked if I would use his LD's in my kits. I said sure, but under the circumstances I may have to find another supplier.

I just want to say that I really appreciate all the help......a big thanks!!!!:beer:

Niros 7
 
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nice good looking host!!
and nice move really...just hope now he will answer you before reading this thread :shhh:

(edit) oh and prepare to spend around 80 bucks for a 8x times if im not mistaken...and much more for a 12x(edit)
 
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thanks

iskor and LordKaramazov

BTW

I don't mind if he reads the thread, were all being honest here and as seller on ebay he should stand by his product or just be honest about what he is selling.

If he has nothing to hide there should not be any problems.

Im not defending him but he was courteous and prompt with the transaction and all correspondence, so i dont want to accuse him of anything....

As the saying goes action speak louder than words, hopefully he will do whats right.

we will see!
 
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was just mocking around a little bit...i meant that to be in a relaxed kind of way.

yeah, i just hope the truth comes around and u start lasing with all ur might! :D

And remember...eye safety!


(edit) iskor: you are always "outpreplying" me xD(edit)
 
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I was checking out 8x blu-ray burners on ebay. I know I can get a diode from one of them.

I just want to clarify that it has to be a 8x blu-ray burner not an 8x blu-ray ROM. am I correct in saying this

Niros 7
 




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