RPL-425 only outputs 25-55mW any longer

DJNY · Nov 12, 2010

I was just ready to package and add some other stuff for member donprado who was ready to buy the laser from me.

I started a few testruns on my LPM and suddenly I saw a drop in output from ~400mW to ~190mW to 25-55mW, average 30mW!!! :wtf:
I thought that it was caused by the batterie, so I inserted two other 18650 batts.. but after a short start at ~50mW, the power continously drop to ~30mW, no output above 55mW any longer
I tried the adjustable tailcap, but with no success.

Hope it is only a small problem and I´m doing something wrong!

Thank you!!!

JLSE · Nov 12, 2010

Test the current draw on the batteries. If the driver is pulling 1A+
its gonna be a bad gain medium, poor alignment, or
insufficient heat dissipation of the medium.

You can also try placing a lens in the path of the beam,
look for rapid shift in mode... If this occurs, id say a heat
issue.

Though I have never seen such a heavy drop in output.

Prototype · Nov 12, 2010

It sounds as if the pump diode has suddenly kicked the bucket....This happened to a good friend of mines' 532 labby, he was slowly warming it up and it suddenly dropped off at the normal current, then it simply wouldn't lase at all. Sorry to hear this either way!

DJNY · Nov 12, 2010

If I tested it correct with my DMM, I got about 0,82A. The laser was warm after using it for 3.40min (wanted to send donprado a drawn graph) after a cold start at 20°C air temperature, but by far not hot. But when I´m using the laser now with ~30mW output, it gets as warm as it got with >400mW output. Hope it isn´t a bigger issue, I don´t have any DIY experiences

wannaburn said:
Test the current draw on the batteries. If the driver is pulling 1A+
its gonna be a bad gain medium, poor alignment, or
insufficient heat dissipation of the medium.

You can also try placing a lens in the path of the beam,
look for rapid shift in mode... If this occurs, id say a heat
issue.

Though I have never seen such a heavy drop in output.

Thank you for your sympathy, I hope I´m able to run it normal again... At least there IS still output, but not more than 55mW. Would it be useful to upload a LPM power vid?

Prototype said:
It sounds as if the pump diode has suddenly kicked the bucket....This happened to a good friend of mines' 532 labby, he was slowly warming it up and it suddenly dropped off at the normal current, then it simply wouldn't lase at all. Sorry to hear this either way!

JLSE · Nov 12, 2010

Prototype said:
It sounds as if the pump diode has suddenly kicked the bucket....This happened to a good friend of mines' 532 labby, he was slowly warming it up and it suddenly dropped off at the normal current, then it simply wouldn't lase at all. Sorry to hear this either way!

This is also true.. I have had 300+mW lasers still output
50mW with a damaged pump....

Thats the beauty of DPSS.. There are so many factors to
look at when diagnosing.

Prototype · Nov 12, 2010

DJNY said:
Thank you for your sympathy, I hope I´m able to run it normal again... At least there IS still output, but not more than 55mW. Would it be useful to upload a LPM power vid?

Do you happen to have a bench PSU? If you do it would be kind of helpful to see the power output over slowly ramping up the current to .82A at a steady voltage.

DJNY · Nov 12, 2010

Prototype said:
Do you happen to have a bench PSU? If you do it would be kind of helpful to see the power output over slowly ramping up the current to .82A at a steady voltage.

Negative. Would it be expensive to replace the pump diode?

I should send it to someone with more experience, do you guys know someone in Europe? Is Morgan able to deal with this problem and replace the pump diode if it is possible?

Don't Laze Me Bro · Nov 12, 2010

Same issue happened to my RPL 350, Good luck DJNY. Your best bet may be to send her in to opto. If all else fails, I would LOVE to buy the module. Maybe the whole thing depending on price

Don't Laze Me Bro · Nov 12, 2010

DJNY said:
Negative. Would it be expensive to replace the pump diode?

probably $3-500 US at least thats what I was quoted for my RPL.

Prototype · Nov 12, 2010

DJNY said:
Negative. Would it be expensive to replace the pump diode?

I should send it to someone with more experience, do you guys know someone in Europe? Is Morgan able to deal with this problem and replace the pump diode if it is possible?

A new 1-2W IR pump diode shouldn't be too much, but realigning it with the crystal set will be a challenge. It'd be best to get a quote from Optotronics probably.

JLSE · Nov 12, 2010

If you find somebody local to do the work,
I have 2 and 3W cmount 808's.

You get a good life out of the laser at the current it now
runs at..

I also have 1W 9mm 808's. Youd have to find out what type
of mount the laser has..

PM me if interested..

mfo · Nov 13, 2010

Did you check the driver?

DJNY · Nov 13, 2010

Don't Laze Me Bro said:
Same issue happened to my RPL 350, Good luck DJNY. Your best bet may be to send her in to opto. If all else fails, I would LOVE to buy the module. Maybe the whole thing depending on price

Don't Laze Me Bro said:
probably $3-500 US at least thats what I was quoted for my RPL.

Jack offered me yesterday to send it back to him and reselling it for better profit for me and a bit for him. But according to his 10-step-scale I saw that this laser isn´t in a very good condition.

I should contact him again and ask if he can do something. I also informed the former member through Paypal.

If it doesn´t cost more than $150 total and the former member pay the half of it, I would still sell it for the $450 I told in the FS thread.

Hope that all is going to went well :can:

DJNY · Nov 13, 2010

Prototype said:
A new 1-2W IR pump diode shouldn't be too much, but realigning it with the crystal set will be a challenge. It'd be best to get a quote from Optotronics probably.

It needs a 2.5W pump diode what I´ve read so far. Do you know the markt price for these?

wannaburn said:
If you find somebody local to do the work,
I have 2 and 3W cmount 808's.

You get a good life out of the laser at the current it now
runs at..

I also have 1W 9mm 808's. Youd have to find out what type
of mount the laser has..

PM me if interested..

PM´d

mfo said:
Did you check the driver?

Unfortunately I don´t have the abilities to do this!

Thank you all guys!!!
Good to know that I´m not alone with my problem :beer:

Don't Laze Me Bro · Nov 13, 2010

DJNY said:
Jack offered me yesterday to send it back to him and reselling it for better profit for me and a bit for him. But according to his 10-step-scale I saw that this laser isn´t in a very good condition.

I should contact him again and ask if he can do something. I also informed the former member through Paypal.

If it doesn´t cost more than $150 total and the former member pay the half of it, I would still sell it for the $450 I told in the FS thread.

Hope that all is going to went well :can:

shit man, it will be much >$150 for this. Opto wants $100 to open the damn box... My quote was like $500

DJNY · Nov 13, 2010

As I said, i contacted the former member cause he should also get involved into this. I´m sure, I hope, that he is going to post here soon.

Anyway, my cam broke a few days ago, but here is a handy-vid of the RPL-425 in action ~attached~

RPL-425 only outputs 25-55mW any longer

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