Multiple Diode Driver(s)?

Hi Guys,

Firstly please forgive my ignorance on this, I have worked with laser modules but never done what I'm about to question...

Does anyone know what the easiest way would be to drive MULTIPLE (i.e. 40-50) 200mw 808nm laser diodes?

Could I use a constant current driver like I do with LEDs? I.e. a Meanwell 60-48. which can put out from 400ma-1500ma and regulates the voltage as needed?

What I aim to do is hook up 40-50 200mw 808nm diodes to a 6x3 (foot) sheet of Aluminum and have them all hooked up to one single driver (or as few as possible)

I haven't purchased the diodes yet but I believe they run at around 300ma each.

What I also need to know, is that if I mount the diodes to the aluminum sheet, am I going to have a high risk of shortages/voltage leak?

Is this all possible or would it be easier to purchase pre made modules and mount them in individual heat sinks, then attach these to the aluminum sheet?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

Mark

IR diodes need to be electrically isolated from each other only when you drive them in series.

Tell us more about your project, please.

Yeah, parallel with current limiting resistors would be easier.

IR diodes have low voltages, so you can probably get away with a few DIY linear drivers and a 24V PSU.

As Cyp said, tell us more about the project. Interested to know why you need that many diodes.

HI Guys,

Thanks for the replies!

Okay well basically this is going to be a medical device, it will be a half cylinder lined with the diodes, someone (myself) then lays underneath the lasers for therapeutic affect.

I have already built a hand held 10 diode (200mw each) unit, that relieves pain beautifully!

It's referred to as Low Level Laser Therapy. I remove the lenses from each module and have the laser diffused, I have two laser Power Meters which I use to calculate the dose of energy delivered for the therapeutic effect.

What I'm trying to work out here is how I can easily wire them all up, along with keeping them cool enough to run for at least 25 minutes continuously.

With my hand held device I have each individual module in a large ish heat sink and then mounted all ten of these to a length of ali bar.

I was thinking in series as the meanwell driver would allow me to run around 25 diodes per driver....I am now thinking that I will mount each diodes onto separate heatsinks and then all of them onto a fibreglass body (which would be the semi cylinder).

Can anyone think of a simple way of heatsinking these that would be cost effective? I was thinking small bits of aluminium plate with holes drilled to the right size, then use thermal compound for heat conductivity? is it best to have the diodes touching the heatsink from the front? where do they dissipate the heat the best from?

Thanks in advance guys, this device is to relieve suffering and believe me the technology works well!

Here is a picture that shows what I would like to achieve, please see the diode on the bottom.



I was thinking, if I isolate each diode, I could use a disc of aluminium like below and then machine the right size hole for the diodes to be pressed into it? This should work as sufficient heatsinking correct?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Disc-150-mm-Diameter-2mm-Thick-/220802462928

Can anyone please explain where I am likely to run into voltage leaking issues, if I ensure nothing conductive touches the pins will I be ok?

lol here we go with laser therapy again, always a doctor wanting to build their own 'medical equipment'.

Sorry I don't get what you are trying to get at? I have built my own for my own personal use before? I relieve the suffering of my own family members I'm not a doctor lol.