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Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits pens

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drlava

drlava

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In most cases it is fine. The driver does buck it down. Don't forget that even at 385mA you are still significantly over-driving the diode over its specs. Why are you so quick to assume it's the driver? Your diode might have been compromised as most new (long die) open can diodes that haven't been damaged by contamination or static can last at least a few months at that current, usually much longer.
 
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Spyderz20x6

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b52productions said:
i learned math today " micro flexdrive + 385ma + 5v in / open can diode = dead diode:gun:. i thought it was a bad idea but wast told it would be okay WRONG. what driver should i be using for this open can, i thought this driver automaticaly bucked it down to 2.8v ?

how does it buck it down to 5v and or 2.8v without adjustments.
Click to expand...

How did you get 5V? What batteries were you using?
 
b52productions

b52productions

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compromised diode is always a possibility, i am just irritated at this point.
sorry to be such a slammer but i assumed a constant current driver is calculated on a given voltage. With this buck boost it should always provide that given voltage, and adjustment of current should be figured after that.
 
Spyderz20x6

Spyderz20x6

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b52productions said:
compromised diode is always a possibility, i am just irritated at this point.
sorry to be such a slammer but i assumed a constant current driver is calculated on a given voltage. With this buck boost it should always provide that given voltage, and adjustment of current should be figured after that.
Click to expand...
It does. You must've done something wrong.

What batteries did you use to get 5V?
 
b52productions

b52productions

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Sorry for being a slammer i deleted the post but it was 3 new AAA batt eveready 1.5v ea. measured out at 5v i did measure 3.5v at the dummy load isnt that to high?
 
drlava

drlava

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b52productions said:
compromised diode is always a possibility, i am just irritated at this point.
sorry to be such a slammer but i assumed a constant current driver is calculated on a given voltage. With this buck boost it should always provide that given voltage, and adjustment of current should be figured after that.
Click to expand...

I understand the irritation, just consider this a learning experience. And the best way to learn is to find the true problem ;)

It's actually the opposite.. this constant current driver is regulated based on output current only. It always provides a constant current and the output voltage changes to suit the diode's requirements. This is the safest way to drive a diode because their forward voltage changes based on temperature so if you use a voltage regulated driver, as the diode heated up it could draw more and more current!

i did measure 3.5v at the dummy load isnt that to high?
Click to expand...
it's 3.5V at the dummy load because the dummy load isn't a perfect simulation of a laser diodes characteristics. It's close enough, however because the driver is current controlled, the dummy load and the laser diode will get the same current no matter if they require 2.8, 3.0, or 3.5V.
 
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Elektrotechniker

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Hello, I want to know if >400 mA gives you >200 mW of power for sure using a 16340 rechargable?
I am using a LOC-815 at that current. Thank you,
 
Jimmymcjimthejim

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I'm pretty sure that it will work.
And by the way, it's the LPC-815 sled that has the LOC diode ;)

@DrLava: Did you get my driver yet? It's been like ten days.
 
drlava

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Jimmy, no I haven't, but I did receive a driver from 'G Falkenburg' but I have no record of that name in my transactions so if the mysterious Mr. Falkenburg would send me a PM we can get this sorted. :)
 
Gata

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Hey guys I think I may be having driver problems again. I hooked up a 6x to a flexdrive set at 186ma. What I was getting from the diode was just a very, very dim light. I am sure it isn't the diode that isn't working. But on the driver I have two components missing that I know drlava has said aren't required for a blu-ray build. You can see in the picture that it is the two components on the left. I desoldered them both by accident since the only soldering iron I have right now has a larger tip then recommended when building lasers.

sdc10535w.jpg

You may not be able to tell in this picture but it was the resistor between the two thru-holes on the left and the little component below them.

Perhaps when they are both missing then it won't work regardless if it blu-ray or not?

If this is non fixable then I want to buy a new flexdrive soon so any help is appreciated. Thanks guys
 
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drlava

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from the picture it doesn't look like the range solder jumper is connected on the right. If you still can't get it there's a prepair policy so send me a PM :)
 
Gata

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I actually got it to work, but that didn't fix it. When I first turn it on the beam is pretty bright and seems to be at the correct power, but it slowly gets dimmer and eventually is too dim to see a dot. But when you turn it off then back on the process starts over from bright to dim. Also while it's turned on a few of the joints on the driver are too hot to touch, they actually burned me while I was working working with it. So I still may need it repaired, I will send you a PM. Thanks.
 
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