Hey guys,
I hope this isn't too crazy to ask but this seems to be the place to ask it. I have already learned quite a bit from sifting through the site for the last day or two and the depth of topics discussed here is great. I have been going through the threads and searching the site but couldn't really find anything like what I am trying to do... so here goes nothing.
Basically I am trying to construct a 400 laser diode array. Each of these diodes will be about 3.2 volts, 635nm, and 30 mA. I have already tested out some configurations so I will try to list what I have tried and then post my questions afterward.
The diodes we are using right now are the 635nm modules from Aixiz that come with the LD driver circuit and adjustable lens/brass casing. The first thing that a bunch of us amateurs did was the easiest thing we could think of at the time. We were running these diodes in configurations up to 200+ in parallel using modified ATX power supplies. I got a bunch of 250 Watt power supplies and isolated the 3.3V rail which gave us the capability of about 15-17 amps if needed. I know this sounds ridiculous but it was working . I figured the ATX power supplies would be a great source of electricity because they are regulated pretty well, have built in heat-sinks and short-circuit protection.
Anyhow where we are now is that we want to forgo the whole module/driver circuit and instead get just the diodes themselves because it is much cheaper. I would like these diodes to last as long as possible so I was thinking a soft start, voltage/amp regulation would be needed. So here are a few questions now that you know the background:
Is the ATX Power Supply enough regulation to run diodes without the modules and Aixiz driver circuits (I am pretty sure it is a no but might as well ask)?
If I do need closer regulation then what would be the best way to connect this all together?
Could I connect a bunch of diodes in serial (say 10 - 15) use a higher voltage/lower amperage and just regulate each series of diodes using a modified DDL driver?
Would it ever be efficient or probable to regulate 400 diodes in parallel at an economical price (my guess is no)?
Thanks for reading guys and I hope this isn't out of line posting stuff like this.
I hope this isn't too crazy to ask but this seems to be the place to ask it. I have already learned quite a bit from sifting through the site for the last day or two and the depth of topics discussed here is great. I have been going through the threads and searching the site but couldn't really find anything like what I am trying to do... so here goes nothing.
Basically I am trying to construct a 400 laser diode array. Each of these diodes will be about 3.2 volts, 635nm, and 30 mA. I have already tested out some configurations so I will try to list what I have tried and then post my questions afterward.
The diodes we are using right now are the 635nm modules from Aixiz that come with the LD driver circuit and adjustable lens/brass casing. The first thing that a bunch of us amateurs did was the easiest thing we could think of at the time. We were running these diodes in configurations up to 200+ in parallel using modified ATX power supplies. I got a bunch of 250 Watt power supplies and isolated the 3.3V rail which gave us the capability of about 15-17 amps if needed. I know this sounds ridiculous but it was working . I figured the ATX power supplies would be a great source of electricity because they are regulated pretty well, have built in heat-sinks and short-circuit protection.
Anyhow where we are now is that we want to forgo the whole module/driver circuit and instead get just the diodes themselves because it is much cheaper. I would like these diodes to last as long as possible so I was thinking a soft start, voltage/amp regulation would be needed. So here are a few questions now that you know the background:
Is the ATX Power Supply enough regulation to run diodes without the modules and Aixiz driver circuits (I am pretty sure it is a no but might as well ask)?
If I do need closer regulation then what would be the best way to connect this all together?
Could I connect a bunch of diodes in serial (say 10 - 15) use a higher voltage/lower amperage and just regulate each series of diodes using a modified DDL driver?
Would it ever be efficient or probable to regulate 400 diodes in parallel at an economical price (my guess is no)?
Thanks for reading guys and I hope this isn't out of line posting stuff like this.