Micro-Drive laser driver by rkcstr

while setting current on the v3 can I use a 9v to set the current if im running 7.2v input in the laser itself? Or will the current change when i switch over to the lower input voltage?

Use the current you will be running the laser with. I'm not sure it will change but I know that you should use the same input voltage and be sure it is enough to run the diode and driver. I've used 7.5 v and it was fine.

As long as the input voltage is above the required amount of voltage (typically >2.25V over the diode voltage), the output current should remain constant. So, if you set it at 9V and run it at 7.2V, so long as it is enough, the current will stay the same.

Also, keep in mind that the 9V battery won't provide enough current to go much past 100-200mA, so you'll need a different setting power source if you're setting very high.

Having trouble using your test load. (setting current for a PHR)
Im pretty sure i was right by de soldering the red solder bridge and making a bridge over the blu on the test load. I connected the driver (v3) and my DMM with test leads and began turning the pot. to the left was 20ma to the right the max was 120ma. Is that the correct range? I would have thought the driver would be able to put out more current than 120ma.
Was it because i used a 9v as a power supply?
I set it to 115ma and soldered the phr on. It powered up dim using the same 9v and then stopped working all together. I rechecked the driver with the test load and it still said 115ma.
The only things I can think of I may have done wrong were:
1. gotten the diode too hot while soldering it to the driver
2. gotten an inaccurate measurement from using the 9v as my power supply
3. possibly grounded something while screwing the back half of the aixis on (highly doubt it)
also I made sure i grounded the diode supply pads before installing the diode just in case there was some residual power.
Was the 9v the reason why i could only get 120ma out of the driver?

I did notice the test load got pretty hot really fast. I think my reading was messed up

Ok not I tried setting current by method 1a in the rkcstr pdf instructions and i got a more normal range. 50-350+ma
The driver before was reading 120ma but was probably putting out 400ma
There was probably something I failed to read about the test load. Well looks like it cost me $12!

A 9V battery typically doesn't have a very high current capability. Probably not any more than about 200mA, possibly more if it is fresh, but it won't last long. They basically consist of 6x AAAA-size alkaline batteries in series, so they don't have a lot of capacity.

Anyway, the Test Load will get hot with use, which is expected with any type of rectifier when you're passing that kind of current. But, I don't see any reason why it would be the cause of a low reading unless something wasn't right. Meter set to measure voltage? The setting pads were properly bridged? Measure voltage across the two thru-hole pads on either side of the larger resistor marked "1R00"?

To me, I would guess it was the 9V battery giving you low readings, but if you say it was putting out a correct current when you were directly measuring current with the multimeter, that seems to rule it out to me.

Dammit, now that i think of it, i had my dmm set on ma while measuring between the resistor on the test load. I was all excited because I have a really nice autorange dmm and it will be perfect measuring ma! oh well, one phr had to die due to my excitement and negligence. Thanks for your help and your awesome products rkcstr. Keep up the good work

Yeah, that would be the problem. Eh, mistakes happen and you learn. At least it wasn't an expensive diode that was wasted.

Bought some more of these delightful little drivers today. Thanks.

Cool, thanks!

My site is currently down due to unforeseeable reasons. I'm working to get it back up ASAP, but please be patient while I do.

If you have an urgent order, you can send me an email at my user name @gmail.com and I can send you a Paypal invoice. As it said on my site, until mid Feb, orders will only ship around the weekends (likely Sat and Mon).

Thanks,
Ryan

Cool, I ordered a drive last night, not sure if you are going to get it out today but if you could that would be fantastic as I plan on completede the build it is for this Friday. Thanks.

I have to dig through my emails to find orders, so they will hopefully ship tomorrow.

As for the site... working on it. Got some hacked PHP scripts uploaded to my site that were using my domain to spam. So, I have to get those removed and secure up my site before it can be started up again. Unfortunately, that also means I don't have access to my administration account either, so I can't look at my orders, so I have to find the order confirmations in my email and on Paypal. But, I'll get it done.

Site's back up!

Wow, can't believe I'm already in the process of preparing the next batch of my V3 drivers. First batch was 1500 drivers and I only have a couple hundred left!

Anyway, kind of a big expense, so I need to "save up". Unfortunately I also have a ton of other expenses for this semester with school, so it'll be tight. This means there may be a small delay in availability, POSSIBLY, while I secure the funds to complete them.

If anyone's expecting to place a big order (say 20+) in the next 2-3 months, you can keep an eye on my stock by looking at the bottom of the page for my driver. If you see it dropping below 100 drivers, you may want to consider placing your order sooner rather than later to make sure I will have the quantity you need available.

Thanks to all for your support and happy lasering!