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 Watt 445nm - Flashing on and off?

Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
I just assembled my laser using a micro boost drive. Im currently powering it with 2 AAs.

Its very bright but after a few seconds it starts to flash on and off...Any laser experts out there with an idea?!
 





RA_pierce

RA_pierce

0
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
3,658
Points
113
2 AA batteries cannot supply sufficient power to the diode.

Use a single 18650 instead or turn the power down.
 
Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
I plan to run 3 D cells so if thats the issue then im good to go!

The blue beam is amazing.

When i tested it without the lens it lit up the whole room opposite of me!
 
RA_pierce

RA_pierce

0
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
3,658
Points
113
Braddubya said:
I plan to run 3 D cells so if thats the issue then im good to go!

The blue beam is amazing.

When i tested it without the lens it lit up the whole room opposite of me!
Click to expand...

You may need to drop the voltage with a diode if you plan on running it with 3 1.5V D cells (4.5V total).
The MicroBoost is a boost only driver it should not be used with a power source 0.35V over the Vf of the load.
 
Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
I was told by the company that it would be fine with the 3 d cells and by others on the forum. I initially came to the same conclusion as you but was told it would be fine. I hope this is actually the case.
 
jeffreythe00

jeffreythe00

0
Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Messages
2,516
Points
63
Just a suggestion so please dont be offended by it but, perhaps you can invest in a 18650 battery + a charger (instead of possibly destroying a 25$ driver + 50$ diode)? They are only 15-20$ tops shipped to US (assuming u live in the US)

Imo safe is better than sorry.

Just my 2 cents.
Jeff
 
RA_pierce

RA_pierce

0
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
3,658
Points
113
Braddubya said:
I was told by the company that it would be fine with the 3 d cells and by others on the forum. I initially came to the same conclusion as you but was told it would be fine. I hope this is actually the case.
Click to expand...

Dr. Lava mentioned it himself, so I will be inclined to trust him over anyone else. Sorry, I am not going to bother trying to find the post. It is probably long gone and buried by now.
The MicroFlex is a buck/boost so anything under 5.8V will be fine. The MicroBoost can't "buck" extra voltage down.

IMO, 18650s are the best battery type for high drain flashlights and lasers.
 
Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
Im not against investing in a different battery I just already have a Maglite host which takes 3 d cell batts and a heat sink halfway completed.
 
RA_pierce

RA_pierce

0
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
3,658
Points
113
Braddubya said:
Im not against investing in a different battery I just already have a Maglite host which takes 3 d cell batts and a heat sink halfway completed.
Click to expand...

I see.
If you want to use that host, you can just add a diode to the + input of the driver (if it is a case negative build) to drop the voltage input to a safe value.
 
Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
To be totally honest I only taught myself enough to assemble the laser. What diode specifically would be best to use?
 
RA_pierce

RA_pierce

0
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
3,658
Points
113
Braddubya said:
To be totally honest I only taught myself enough to assemble the laser. What diode specifically would be best to use?
Click to expand...

1N540x rectifier diodes will be ok.
You only need to drop the voltage ~0.5V. Maybe a little more to be safe since new Alkalines can sometimes be around 1.6V unloaded.
It will need to be wired in series with the driver.
 
daguin

daguin

0
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
15,989
Points
113
Kenom

Kenom

0
Joined
May 4, 2007
Messages
5,629
Points
63
I've experienced the on/off thing and I'll say it again.. the driver is overheating. The overheat protection is kicking in and turning the chip off. when it cools the driver is coming back on. Don't believe me? Pull it open as soon as it starts doing that again and feel how hot your driver is.
 
Braddubya

Braddubya

0
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
360
Points
0
Kenom said:
I've experienced the on/off thing and I'll say it again.. the driver is overheating. The overheat protection is kicking in and turning the chip off. when it cools the driver is coming back on. Don't believe me? Pull it open as soon as it starts doing that again and feel how hot your driver is.
Click to expand...

If this were the issue then the driver has a duty cycle of 5 seconds which seems absurd. I dont have it heat sinked other than being inside the module which is inside a finned heat sink, so it wont be continuous duty but I would imagine could run for at least 15-30 seconds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Top