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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

445nm HELP laser Suddenly not burning, but still bright :(

Joined
Apr 17, 2015
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So I Recently bought one of those 1w 445nm laser diodes off ebay along with a TTL driver for it.

I tested the driver with this test load (using 5 diodes) from survival lasers and set it to 1W.
3A Selectable Test Load

It worked very well and burned through quite a few random objects around my house.

I was paranoid about leaving the diode pin spacers on after soldering and disassembled the housing to check to see its condition, and put it back together. Doing this i Handled the laser by hand, but was careful not to touch the front.

Now my laser is still bright enough to see at a distance, but is no longer burning at all.
(when i turn on the Laser driver it flashes the diode very bright, but returns to its normal brightness of not burning)

1.Do i have to purchase a diode or does this sound like a lens problem?
(i cant see anything on the aixiz lens and tried blowing on each side)

2. Did my static damage the diode to where it is still bright but no where near as bright as it was at the same current?

3. When i handle a diode should i use rubber gloves to prevent ESD?

4. Will decanning solve this issue?

(when i turn on the Laser driver it flashes the diode very bright, but returns to its normal brightness of not burning)

here is the diode driver and diode i purchased

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250863287948?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221693624180?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Last edited:





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Apr 17, 2015
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Here is some pictures of before and after under the same lighting conditions

Any input would be very appreciated

SrNf0VPl.jpg


msHKdf8l.jpg


7fcP8udl.jpg
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2015
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Thanks for the response!! :)

I figured this might be the case.

I also noticed that if i wait a while and turn it back on, it stays bright for about 3 full seconds before going dim.
I can also still see the beam at large distances like a normal laser pointer when dim.

1.Can a diode still lase but be "partially" dead?

2.Can I resurrect this diode by decanning it?

3.Also, do you think was my diode destroyed from ESD from handling it a second time, or from plugging in and unplugging the module from the driver between setting up and taking down.

Should i have soldered the case pin to my heatsink?
 

Aleksa

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Jan 21, 2014
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Probably because unplugging from the driver. The only way of fixing it is by buying a new diode. You can see a lot of threads on this. There is a search bar on the bottom of the page. Fill up your location and other info. :)
 

Pman

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If the diode is dead I find it odd that it would go full output for 3 seconds.
 
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Yes so do I, I will upload a video asap.

The "3 seconds" brightness event only happens if I unlplug the laser from the wall for a few hours. Other wise it just goes dim very quickly every time i turn it on.

I will upload a video asap.

I measured my test load on this driver (link below) I can max at 1A and stays pretty consistent for at least 15 minutes though, so Idk.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250863287948?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

here is my diode

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221693624180?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
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Weird problem, but my money's on the driver.

Diode is probably fine. Dead diodes never produce full output again, even in flashes.

Sounds like the drivers is instantly overheating and reducing it's output. Or maybe set above it's output capacity. Re-check the driver using a test load.
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2015
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Wow thank you everyone for the input! :)
I am beginning testing on the driver now, here it is again for reference.

Industrial 445nm Blue Laser Diode TTL Driver 12V 1 2A | eBay

I will be doing tests using 4 diodes on my test load (I honestly am not 100% how many to use for a 445nm diode but assume its 4). I will also leave it on to ensure stability.

Pictures will be up soon.

I hope that this driver is OK, because I just received my m140 diode and I would like to power it with this.
(keeping the output at 1w to make the diode last longer)
 
Last edited:
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Apr 17, 2015
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Ok So here are the Driver tests using this test load. (set at 4 diodes)

CsrT8hvl.jpg

(the driver test load outputs current information at 1mv=1ma

Here is the test at 1 minute
nHMy08ql.jpg


Here again at 3 minutes
KxrUxgHl.jpg


5 minutes (noticing a current drop) driver is warm)
h7rzwAAl.jpg


7.5 minutes (holding finger on the bare green part PCB can feel pretty hot after about 5-10 seconds)
Ge986h4l.jpg


And here is the last picture at 10 minutes
BqVVQaSl.jpg


I will upload a video of the laser start up after the Driver gets a break.

So what do you guys think about this driver?
 
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
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Hi led,
When ever building its always good to use ESD protocol . I never build without it two wrist straps and a ESD mat. I ever ground the soldering iron if I remember . I lost a driver and a diode due to this mistake. Then again your problem might not be due to this. Well better be safe than sorry.
 




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