PHR-803T for about $20

ive also noticed that the heat sink on the 803 diode is very brittle. In getting out my dremil to take a crack at the heat sink, it cracked upon me touching it with the dremil. Must have been residual pressure from the glue expanding in between the can and the sink. Simple pliers worked after that point.

One thing i have noticed about these diodes is that the window seems to be a bit more delicate than say a normal DVD burner window. Ive cracked 1 already, and completely shattered another. Third time was a charm.... but even after that i had some issues...

my 803 diode is having some diminished power output problems. it wont burn or heat up even my hand when focused. is possible that the window may have a small crack that i cant see, or that the dremel rattled something in the diode? im using a glass lens aixiz module, and it seems no better when i slip it into my meredeth module. Also, im getting some crazy readings from my meter. Im reading output in mA at 187mA, and i let it sit like this for about 20 minutes while i was in the other room. i came back and it was still on, very warm, but not dead. Not quite sure what the problem was.

187mA is too much to run a 803 diode on. don't you need more like 90mA?

TheGr8Revealing said:

my 803 diode is having some diminished power output problems. it wont burn or heat up even my hand when focused.  is possible that the window may have a small crack that i cant see, or that the dremel rattled something in the diode? im using a glass lens aixiz module, and it seems no better when i slip it into my meredeth module. Also, im getting some crazy readings from my meter. Im reading output in mA at 187mA, and i let it sit like this for about 20 minutes while i was in the other room. i came back and it was still on, very warm, but not dead. Not quite sure what the problem was.

Click to expand...

What I notice is if you focus it to a large spot you can see all the artifacts including crack in the window.

187mA Wow, is this without a heatsink? I know people have pushed it to about 155mA with a very short cycle time but not that high. Check your reading again because even at 87mA it still sting when it is unfocused on your skin. I have my set at 100mA and 125mA and it hurt if you leave it too long.

i chopped mine away(803 heatsink) with side cutters works great

Is the window being broken when harvesting or when inserting into the Aixiz module?
I think I have read of at least 3 cases recently....

Regards rog8811

I didn't say a lot before, because im new to all of this, but I had similar low power issues w/ my diode.
I gave it about 90mw w/ an lm317 ccs. It was always in a laser lens assembly which is larger than the Aixiz. (so basically, it was always heatsinked)
It looked very dim to me. (but I write that off as being eye sensitivity to violet)
It barely smoked black paper after about 15 seconds. It never felt warm to my skin.
then one time I pick it up to use it and it was VERY dim. nothing changed. i didn't move any wires or mess w/ the circuit. Then it died.

User error is a definite possibility, and is most likely the cause, but a large inconsistency in these diodes could be to blame, too.

Is there a way to make a rough estimate of output power based on how long it takes to burn a hole through black ink on a newspaper?

I found mine really hard to focus i use some 5 od wicked type shadesit really takes out all the spill so the dot looks much smaller and is easily focused

So is it the general consensus that these ones are good? What did you guys mean when you said you broke the "window"? SHould i grab only one if i plan to make just one laser?

Maelstrom said:

So is it the general consensus that these ones are good? What did you guys mean when you said you broke the "window"? SHould i grab only one if i plan to make just one laser?

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Yes. They're good.

The diode has a piece of glass across the opening. I broke the glass in mine.

Grab what you think you'll want. Who knows how log these refurbished units are going to last? Who knows when (or if) they start using another sled? Who knows if the creek will rise?

Peace,
dave

Is the diode ruined if you break the window? In that case I would get two and sell the second one here...

Maelstrom said:

Is the diode ruined if you break the window? In that case I would get two and sell the second one here...

Click to expand...

It depends on how it broke, if it broke anything else when it broke and if you can "tie it down". With mine, I took Rog8811's advice and glued it in place. It was only one piece and I got it to lie against the opening to one side. I used a toothpick to place a bit of CA against it an the side of the can. It is working fine so far

Peace,
dave

wicked1 said:

I didn't say a lot before, because im new to all of this, but I had similar low power issues w/ my diode.
I gave it about 90mw w/ an lm317 ccs. It was always in a laser lens assembly which is larger than the Aixiz. (so basically, it was always heatsinked)
It looked very dim to me. (but I write that off as being eye sensitivity to violet)
It barely smoked black paper after about 15 seconds. It never felt warm to my skin.
then one time I pick it up to use it and it was VERY dim. nothing changed. i didn't move any wires or mess w/ the circuit. Then it died.

User error is a definite possibility, and is most likely the cause, but a large inconsistency in these diodes could be to blame, too.

Is there a way to make a rough estimate of output power based on how long it takes to burn a hole through black ink on a newspaper?

Click to expand...

probably too much work involved with finding the power output required to burn a generic newspaper with generic black ink... hehe. but i do think i may be able to help you while i help myself.

I think i may have stumbled upon the problem. I believe that the LM317 (which i am using as well) is limiting the voltage based on current that the diode (or in my case a series of resistors to mimic the diode) is seeing. A current regulator or something to replace the LM317 may be required to balance out the current to 90mA while keeping voltage at operating levels.

HAHAHAHA OH WOW.

they want me to pay upwards of $85 shipping... right... unlikely.

here I was kicking myself for buying from PSXBOY, but it turns out it was a lot cheaper in the end :-/

bah!

pseudolobster said:

HAHAHAHA OH WOW.

they want me to pay upwards of $85 shipping... right... unlikely.

here I was kicking myself for buying from PSXBOY, but it turns out it was a lot cheaper in the end :-/

bah!

Click to expand...

Shipping entire DVD drives is much too expensive for people not in the US. Go direct or go with a GB.

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

Shipping entire DVD drives is much too expensive for people not in the US. Go direct or go with a GB.

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

I've shipped entire *computers* from california for less than that... It's really just a kick in the teeth to add $40 to your paypal to buy a $17 item, wait two weeks for paypal to process it, then find out you're still another $20 short...

It's silly that an item advertised at $18 is more expensive overall than PSXBOY's sled at $40 (a few *times* more expensive, actually!)

*sigh*

wow that stinks, shipping was 8 for me. It took three days