Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

1.5 amp Options

Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
Whats the best way to power a a140 diode to 1.5 amp?

I know some people use multiple drivers or larger drivers but I dont see a consensus on what works best for a handheld.

Im currently debating between a single flexdrive at 1.5A or two flexdrives at 750mA. Any opinions or experience with this?
 
Last edited:





Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
Anyone? This is an opinion thread so no wrong answers really.

Im thinking 2 flexdrives running at 750 or even 800mA will be the best because they are each spreading the workload and I would assume this reduces overheating problems. Is my logic sound? Are there better options out there?
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
That is what I am going to do. I did more searching and was able to find a thread about parallel drivers (just needed the right search terms haha) which explained that heat was for some reason still I big issue and this for me makes the dual drivers not worth the extra $$.
 

Morgan

0
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
2,174
Points
0
If you're only going to drive at 1.5A then you may as well use a single Flexdrive. It's only if you want more grunt than that does two drivers make sense.

Then you can go with either two Flexdrives or two Microboosts. My preference would still be Flexdrives though; they are slightly more efficient; more easily mounted to sink heat and are more suited to the voltage requirements, (although this last one is really not an issue, it could come into play when choosing a power source as the Flexdrive is also a buck driver, meaning you can use an input voltage above the requirement of the LD, whereas the Microboost is a boost only).

M
:)
 

ArtDen

0
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Messages
53
Points
0
I did driver for 1.5A myself using TPS61030 chip :)

The driver:
attachment.php


and my laser with it:
attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • PA091724-small.jpg
    PA091724-small.jpg
    107.5 KB · Views: 1,163
  • PA091735-small.jpg
    PA091735-small.jpg
    47.4 KB · Views: 1,803

kobi g

0
Joined
Oct 11, 2010
Messages
137
Points
18
Cool one :)
I think you can get the FlexMod P3. It can push 2A.
Setting him to 1.5 is easy.

I'm now building 1.6W with the FlexDrive V5 and I think if you give him a good heatsink it will be great. I saw a cool heatsink here - 1 gold doller that DTR used and it is COOL :)
I'm thinking using it also ( I have time until I get all the parts I orded).
Good Luck
Kobi
 
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
9,399
Points
113
The flexmod can do up to 6A according to Dr. Lava's site. But I have yet to see how using a $40 flexmod is any better than using a $3 lm338 for a pointer application.
 

Morgan

0
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
2,174
Points
0
Is that a pre-built driver using the LM388 Cyparagon or building from scratch? Similar to the LM317 circuit? Apologies, I feel I should know that off the top of my head but I don't. Others may find it interesting too for a look at. As the Flexmod is really setup for the display laser world then it could be overkill as half the functionality is not used, (threshold, (does it have these settings?), maximum output, etc).

@ kobi G - Do you know the output is 1.6W at this stage or are you just following a tutorial for a build that ended up at 1.6W? It may not be the same for your laser. 1.5A input cannot be assumed to be 1.6W output just by the figures. It has to be measured and could be a lot lower. Just for information... Good luck though and post some pics when you're done! Tel Aviv... It's a fun city with a lovely beach! ;)

M
:)
 

kobi g

0
Joined
Oct 11, 2010
Messages
137
Points
18
Morgan; @ kobi G - Do you know the output is 1.6W at this stage or are you just following a tutorial for a build that ended up at 1.6W? It may not be the same for your laser. 1.5A input cannot be assumed to be 1.6W output just by the figures. It has to be measured and could be a lot lower. Just for information... Good luck though and post some pics when you're done! Tel Aviv... It's a fun city with a lovely beach! ;) M :)[/QUOTE said:
Thanks Morgan,
Yes I'm building it following a tutorial by DTR.
and I'll put pics while building it.

As for the beach.. come over to the city that never stops :) and I'll show you some lasers I use.

Kobi
 




Top