Driver Mod For up to 1.8amps with 2x 3.7v or 3.0v cells

But why do you claim this driver would harm the diode?

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I thought lazybeam was insinuating it would.

I also thought all led drivers were bad unless properly protected because of the robust characteristics of LED's VS LD's.. seems not?

Humphry said:

I thought lazybeam was insinuating it would.

I also thought all led drivers were bad unless properly protected because of the robust characteristics of LED's VS LD's.. seems not?

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If you read post 3 & 5 i answered Lazybeam with basically if you feel more comfortable using a filter capacitor it wont hurt it.

As i also stated that i have read many other members are using this driver in sold units. Witch means they are selling lasers with this driver in it and have sold lots of them.

So IMO they are fine. But if it makes you feel better just add a filter capacitor to the output and you will have no more worries.

Hope this answer your question.

Yes it does answer my question thank you very much Lazereer :beer:

Once again thank you very much for sharing this and for all your help!

lazeerer just out of curiosity what value of Capacitor would You use if the need ever arises?

Humphry said:

It is not that I doubt your research but more that LED drivers are known shorten the life of your diode in the long term.

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I am interested to know if there is any scientific evidence to support this assertion. Or is it more "tribal knowledge"?

In other words, is there documentation available to show that LED drivers actually "kill" laser diodes? Have tests been performed that measured diode lifespan using different drivers?

I just spotted these cells Here:
DealExtreme: $5.60 UltraFire 18350 3.7V 1200mAh Batteries (Pair)

on DX iam going to order some right now and see how they Are in size comparison to n 18650 and 2x 1630 CR123A cells because i do believe they have more juice in them and will solve the issue that Silvershot and others are having with there Cells.

I for some reason the 2x Lifepo4 cells dont have this issue.:thinking: I got a better run time on those then most of you with the 16340 3.6v cells. So Cross my fingers that they will fit.

I am interested to know if there is any scientific evidence to support this assertion. Or is it more "tribal knowledge"?

In other words, is there documentation available to show that LED drivers actually "kill" laser diodes? Have tests been performed that measured diode lifespan using different drivers?]

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My answer is total tribal knowledge from what I have read
I could show you a few posts on it if you would like but I'm sure you are way ahead of me!


In fact here is the one which got me most scared but maybe I am missing something?:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/1w-potted-led-driver-ok-a140-52303.html

Humphry said:

My answer is total tribal knowledge from what I have read
I could show you a few posts on it if you would like but I'm sure you are way ahead of me!


In fact here is the one which got me most scared but maybe I am missing something?:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/1w-potted-led-driver-ok-a140-52303.html

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I understand the principles regarding voltage spikes and switching regulators but I am still interested in hearing actual data rather than theoretical commentary. In the meantime I read more about blown diodes on this forum using flexmods and flexdrives than with LED drivers.

OK Guys i have Good news to tell you in this post but very short until further using/testing this to make sure its OK.

I have successfully test this driver that comes in the 4 pack with A red LPC-815 diode at 380mA. To achieve this current you have to Remove the R27 Resistor that was on the board that we were bridging over. I used 1x Aw 18650 cell and also tested it with a Trustfire 14500 cell Witch the 18650 was able to power up to 1.1A No Problem and the 14500 was Good to 767mA. To set the driver to 380mA i used a .50ohm Resistor and i had my Test load set to test Red diodes witch is using 2x diodes using my New 3A test load Witch i can select from using 1 - 6 diodes at a time Here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/t...ummy-test-loads-try-mod-59105.html#post841245. I Also want to mention that at 380mA the driver was rock sold at 380mA. Did not move at all. Also at 767mA Rock Solid. Seems that this driver is more efficiency at lower current.

Witch is more then enough to power a Red Laser diode.
I will order another LPC-815 to put in a build with one of these drivers and monitor it over a period of time. But i dont know when iam going to do this test as iam holding off spending the money.

I have not tested this yet with Blu-ray. But i do have an extra PHR home witch i will hook up to it Soon.

So this is good new for Red laser diodes. Iam not saying that i feel comfortable yet to use this driver for Red laser diodes i still have to test/use it further.

Garoq,
i was trying different value resistors to find out what resistor to use for XXmA and i found out that with the 4 pack drivers we cannot go by the resistor table in the datasheet as the values they say are totally off with what i actually get. I have not test this in the $1.99 driver because i still haven't got them in yet but i believe i am going to get the same results with that driver. Dont know why. But its pretty easy to find out the right one.

I will dedicate a post soon with the right values to use for XXmA.

lazeerer said:

Garoq,
i was trying different value resistors to find out what resistor to use for XXmA and i found out that with the 4 pack drivers we cannot go by the resistor table in the datasheet as the values they say are totally off with what i actually get. I have not test this in the $1.99 driver because i still haven't got them in yet but i believe i am going to get the same results with that driver. Dont know why. But its pretty easy to find out the right one.

I will dedicate a post soon with the right values to use for XXmA.

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Excellent Lazereer, thanks for the update! What's your ETA on getting the drivers?

NP. Maybe less then 2 weeks. We all know Shipping from china is slow.

Garoq said:

I understand the principles regarding voltage spikes and switching regulators but I am still interested in hearing actual data rather than theoretical commentary. In the meantime I read more about blown diodes on this forum using flexmods and flexdrives than with LED drivers.

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As a noob I really don't question what vets say but that is a really good point!
I mean of course there are more flexdrives in use than Led drivers but maybe we are just scaring ourselves into spending 20$ more for no reason.

Anyway I'm gonna stop hijacking this thread

Ok can I just ask you one more question? I am still wondering whether there are voltage spikes and current spikes that could damage the diode. Do you have any capacitators or extras on your 4 pack of 800mA regulated current IC drivers when hooked up to your 445nm diode?

^^ I dont have any extra available as well as capacitors as i dont need them.

There is nothing more i can say to you on this subject then what i have already told you and that is USE a Capacitor if you are worried and thats it. Nothing more i can say.

If you are this concerned dont use it. I really dont know what else to say.

Ive told you that this driver is being used in many peoples build that are most likely over 50 lasers sold using this same driver and no one has said anything so that and what i have observed and using this driver in 2 build for over 2 months now and what i talked about in this thread have come to a conclusion that they are fine.

It is Yours or anyones decision whether or not they want to try and use this. Its not Mine. I only show How.

Your answer has been answered many times and there is nothing else i know what to say on this subject So Sorry i dont know wht else to tell you.

Just dont use the driver. That Is the best advise i can give you right now.

Iam not mad when writing this, but it might come off that way so just wanted to let you know this that iam more then happy to help you but in this case i dont know what else to say.

Lazeerer, would you recommend 3.0v or 3.7v CR123's?
I am about to order some batteries for this driver type build!

ok this is a double post because i posted in another thread started by lazeerer about these cheap drivers from DX, goodluckbuy, etc. my other post in detail here.

basically im using the DX 18V 5W LED driver and it does put out 1.25A pretty well and stable when on a test load of 5 1n4007 diodes, but when hooked up to a 445 nichia blue, it its bright as heck for about 2 seconds and dims... dim to the point where it even changes modes, like it almost looks like a TEM00 (vs when its bright i can clearly see the lines) it does this every time. turn it on, bright for 1-2 seconds, and then dims... tried a piece of aluminum on the driver which is sandwiched between the driver and the pill and still same thing. batteries are brand new ultrafire 18350's which put out 4.04V under load and im sure can easily deliver the 1.24A the driver puts out. NOTE: when hooked up to a test load with DMM measuring current through a 1ohm resistor, the driver puts out a constant current of 1.24A for well over 30 secs...

EDIT: im using 2 18350 btw...

so why the dimming issue when attached to the LD???

tested LD with a regulated PS going through a LM317 with input/output caps labby style driver and it is bright as hell.

i hope my problem is an isolated issue since i already have more on the way but since DX ships at a snail's pace, i really hope someone could give me out insight on this issue because i already waited 4 weeks for this driver and i really would hate to wait another 4 weeks just to have a handheld 445.

thanks!!