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Test-load and driver's compatibility

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ahmedmangas

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ChaosLord

ChaosLord

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A test load simulates a laser diode so you can safely adjust driver current without risking the laser diode. Always use a test load to set the current on an adjustable driver.
 
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ahmedmangas

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Thank you for your response, I can not directly measure the intensity out without using a test-load? What is a driver adjustment screw (see link)?
 
ChaosLord

ChaosLord

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The adjustment screw is how you set the output current. I think you are asking if you need the test load to measure output current. If so, then yes, you can damage the driver if you power it without a load. Using a test load lets you set the output current without risking damage to the laser diode.
 
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ahmedmangas

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I wanted to ask if I could directly connect the DMM on terminals + LD and LD-driver without using the Test-load. y-he has a difference with or without the test-load?
 
ChaosLord

ChaosLord

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No, directly connecting the DMM can damage the driver. There needs to be something there as a load, this is why test loads exist.
 
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ahmedmangas

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Thank you.Test-load are resistors grouping is that it? It reduces the actual output current of the diode. I do not understand, because when we go to connect the LED driver, it would be the intensity of the driver who shall succeed to the diode and not the intensity with the Test-load. Sorry if my questions are a stupid.:D
 
ChaosLord

ChaosLord

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A basic test load is a few 1n4001 diodes(plain rectifier) wired in series to a 1ohm resistor. You measure the voltage drop across the resisitor to get the current.

The diodes, the number will vary depending on what laser diode you are simulating, should have roughly the same voltage drop as the laser diode. The voltage dropped by the resistor will be equal to the current.

So if you have 4 1N4001 diodes to simulate a 445nm diode, if you read 1.8V on the 1ohm resistor, the driver would be outputing ~1.8A.

There are test loads for sale on ebay, I think at Survival lasers as well. And in the buy sell trade section.
 
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ahmedmangas

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My main question is:
With a diode and a 1.2Amax 1-1.4W driver? how to properly set up the driver for the LED operates at its maximum?
 
ChaosLord

ChaosLord

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A test load is the best way to determine that the driver is outputing it's maximum. You could just get a fixed current driver already set to the desired current. Theres an Xdrive/Xboost sales thread in the buy/sell/trade section.

I got an adjustable test load with convenient measurement pads, setting/verifying driver output.
 
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