Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits pens

Hi, I'm not sure why anyone would still want to use 9V batteries for their lasers...
Back in the linear regulator days they were popular because it was a single battery that could get over the 1.2 to 2V dropout voltage waste of common linear regulators and still have enough voltage to power the 5V diode drop and have some left over for drain.

Now,
They are more expensive than typical rechargeable cells
They won't last as long (less mAH used less efficiently)
With a linear driver they will heat up your laser a LOT faster
They typically aren't rechargeable
They won't fit in sleek round cases, only the old boxy style.

Anyway, no this driver does not support the 9V battery as a source Use 18650s, 17670s, 2 AA or AAAs, or any of the other more popular battery types and you'll be better off.

"Does this driver have wires soddered..."
Constructing lasers is not a kiddie business, DIY lasers can be very dangerous if not respected. On the way to proper DIY accomplishment, you should be able to solder thin wires to tiny drivers, IMO

From the sounds of it you might be well off DIY-ing a LM317 based driver that will work well off of a 9V battery and use large components for easy soldering.

ya i will probably buy urs.
You preset it for a price-cool!
Just 1 question (yes im a laser noob) which points do you sodder the wires to?And do you send the wires with it?

You haven't really got a clue, have you?

(After 5 mins of thinking, that was the most toned-down version I could come up with).

On a more helpful note: you really should be at a point where using a soldering iron doesn't require much more mental effort than using a spoon, before tackling a FlexDriver - they're pretty advanced stuff. As DrLava hinted, try something easy first, like building your own test load and LM317 driver and using it to power some LEDs.

Hey drlava,
I got the driver back. Needless to say, it works great in my DIY sonar. I appreciate you setting the driver to 160mA, but after assembling the laser and testing it, it was running at 240mA! Not sure how that happened, so I put on my test load and turned down the current. While adjusting the current (just turning the pot, no soldering) the same thing as before happened! The multimeter reads 200mA as usual, then goes to 800mA after a few seconds. Need some help here :undecided:

The FlexDriver doesn't have a range that covers 200-800mA, so there must be something wrong with your measuring setup.

I am using the 1-ohm resistor method, I have everything connected with a 1-ohm resistor in series with the circuit, and measuring the voltage across the resistor. It reads a stable 200mA, but then goes to 800mA. I am using a proper test load of eight .5V diodes.

Since it's the fourth of july and I've been wanting this laser fixed for over a month now, I just used a groove driver instead.

Hi Jimmy, in testing after I preset this driver, I did not see the issue that you describe here. It appears that you are using a host that takes 2 3V batteries. For this host you must use a series diode with the batteries. You cannot use 2 3.6V batteries without damaging the driver. For li-ion in that host you must use a 17670.
hope that helps!

It was my original plan to use a 17670, but that didn't fit, so I used a single 14670 (3.6v). Since the laser is done now I have no use for the driver, but I would still like to get it working.

Hi Jimmy, there are no .5V diodes. A Si-diode has a Vf of about 0.7V (more at higher currents). With 8 diodes (and an additional .8V from the resistor), I think you'll be pushing the limits of the FlexDriver, possibly even damaging it. I can't say how that would cause the behaviour you're seeing, but try it with one or two diodes less first.

Thanks for the suggestion dr-ebert. I'll set it to only 5 diodes and try it again.

Hi, i'm new to the field of lasers and want to build one. I'm having trouble understanding exactly what I need to build one. So far, I get a need a flexdrive (not sure what for) that needs to be to to the correct output for my diode, a diode, a diode module, heatsink, and casing (I think that's what you call a host). I came here looking for help on making a 1 watt laser using a diode I found on ebay, but so far my search has turned up that that would be pretty hard. Any help?

Hi! This is a sales thread; you should post your help request in the appropriate sub-forum, either Tutorials, Help & Repair or the one corresponding to your laser color (red, green, bluray, other). Have fun!

Hey Dr. Lava.. still haven't received the drivers in the mail, what day did you send them out?

Thanks

Stevo

drlava said:

Hi Ian, yes I currently have them in stock.

Hi Ramsey, I haven't worked with those ICs, sorry. If you are planning on building a step up for the new 8x 405nm, it might save you some trouble to know that I'm completing the design for a new driver for the 8x right now. Should be ready by August.
Do you have a website for ramsey innovations?

Click to expand...

I need 2 of these new drivers

what would be the difference in drivers ?

Hopefully there will be an answer before August..

I forgot to post the other day that I ordered one. I hope thats fine and that they are in stock. Im getting back into my laser hobby. =]