Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

LM3410X based boost converter, SPARK driver! PART 2

Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
Points
83
**EDIT** Wow this thread refuses to die, for you reading this make sure you see links in my signature, as there are lasers usign the boost driver. Proof of concept, no?



Hiya all LPF folks!

Well, after a bit delayed shippement, my new coils arrived , and I have finished my first boost converter!

If you do not know what I'm talking about, see thread in my signature, PART1

In short....
My new coils arrived, I planned my new PCB (revised one, not entirelly the same as last one), soldered everything up.

Current set resistor was 2.0 Ohm, resulting in 100mA aproximately.

So, 3.5 V drop load... 97 mA! So far so good. PCB dead cold.

I tried both 6x and 7x 1n400x rectifiers, both combinations resulting in same 97 mA , measured 97 mV over 1ohm test load resistors.

So, I won't make the thread as long as last time, spare you the reading, I am just going to say that this one is not completely finished either, will make another PCB next weekend, for easier placing of components, as this one appears a bit 'crammed up', and I had to improvise the placement of current setting resistor, as I lacked a bit of space there.

Anyhow, pictures of the driver:
DSC00320.jpg


DSC00321.jpg


And here is the video of it in action, experimantal setup for now only:



Disregard the mess on my table and my comment to my friend at the end "Okay turn it off"

Looking forward to 'perfection' of the driver next weekend and assembling everything in Cree C6!
 
Last edited:





ReNNo

0
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
589
Points
0
It works with 10440 battery and that is all we wanted :D

+1 Rep
 
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
1,056
Points
0
Nice work!!! Looking good so far, it's nice and small. So the new Coilcraft inductors did the trick? At least they arrived quickly for you. Mess on worktable? Not as bad as mine! :D Hopefully your design will hold up, that nothing is heating up is a good sign. Will it be able to supply higher mA's in the future, perhaps for a 6x or stronger bluray diode?
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
Points
83
Hey Jerry, PCB is aprox 8x 13 milimeter, so it fits more than nicely inside back barrel of aixiz!

I will do some more testing tomorrow on how much current will it give at 5.5 V drop, I hope it to reach 200 mA for now (nothing more powerful in my plans for near future)

Thanks guys for kind words!

I will definetly need to expand it in lenght a little bit ,this way it is kind of difficult soldering the diode on it and soldering the current set resistor.

The coils arrived thuesday this week I think, yup and sure came quicky....
Although...
Out of 2 different kinds (2 pcs each) of coils, only one arrived (2pcs)

EDIT: Crap... I forgot to mention.

Measured 140 mA of current draw at fully charged 10440 battery, with 97 mA output current at 5.5 V drop load.
Looking good !
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
396
Points
18
*Bump*

So, are these still not for sale yet, or what? I'm really interested in a boost driver that could be competitive with the FlexDrive (price-wise), even if the functionality is only a small part of it. Would a boost driver like this be able to run a diode with a lower Vf, like an LPC, from a lower voltage source (such as two Ni-MH rechargeables)?
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
Points
83
*Bump*

So, are these still not for sale yet, or what? I'm really interested in a boost driver that could be competitive with the FlexDrive (price-wise), even if the functionality is only a small part of it. Would a boost driver like this be able to run a diode with a lower Vf, like an LPC, from a lower voltage source (such as two Ni-MH rechargeables)?
Well nothing from me will be for sale, as I cannot recieve any kind of paypal funds, 'due to complexity of financial situation' <-by paypal support.

I have build a laser using the same driver design, see under bluray lasers, something like: New PHR build with boost converter - or something

Anyhow, I have only two more coils which present a chokepoint here, I will have 10 of LM3410x and 100x of schottky and SMD caps, resistors are limitless :D

I have 1 finished driver, and two more sets of parts.
When I get more coils from coilcraft, I will have enough to possibly trade for something.

Unfortunately, the LM3410X chip has the lowest Vin of 2.7 V.
It will work down to 2.3 V even, according to IgorT, but will draw a lot of current to boost up to 5 V (bluray).
It works nicely with LOC diodes (voltage consideration),
I will see if it can do 400mA at 3 V, I see no reason why not, but confirmational testing is needed.


Anyhow, I will not be able to sell them, but I could trade them if you want.
But not at the moment :( I need to get more coils.
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
Points
83
What about Google Checkout, like DrLava uses?
I don't even know what that is, I'l look into it now.

Anyhow, I still have no idea at what price I'd sell them at, I can be certain that I cannot beat the price of O-like boost converter though.
IgorT said that about max current my current setup can provide is about 300mA at bluray diode Vdrop, which is 100mA more than O-like driver.

I will do some more revisions of the entire setup, and coil selection.

Also, I will print out my PCBs on laser printer, not draw them with sharpie like I did on that pics (which are ugly BTW, see my other thread with bluray laser, that driver came out a bit more nice than this one).

I have to admit that I am still far from finished product here, a lot of work needs to be done before I can sell it.
Including the stocking of parts in case some interest actually arisens.

If you can hold your guts a little while longer, we will see what can we pull off.
If you are really in a hurry to build something, I am afraid that for now you will have to settle for O-like driver. Hopefully you are not building an 8x or anything :D
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
396
Points
18
I'm looking into a 6X, but it's at least a few weeks off, at a bare minimum. And I've been told the O-Like driver is a pain to use. Do you know of any good tutorials for using the O-Like driver? Also, will the O-Like run a 6X at 200mA nicely?
 
Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
5,443
Points
113
Very Nice :yh: are you going to get custom boards made ? what is the upper current level ?
 

JLSE

1
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
3,580
Points
0
I have a 12x running on a single 3.6 lith, @502ma The board doesn't stress in the least.
The selection of caps and a DSO would be a good idea before running a $$$ LD at that current with the 3410.

The higher the output current the more noise you will see on the scope. 200mA and above is where it becomes a bit of a concern.
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
Points
83
Very Nice :yh: are you going to get custom boards made ? what is the upper current level ?
Custom as in printed on aged printer and etched with salt acid mixed with hair creme for makeshift etchant?
Yes :D

I said, according to IgorT : 300mA is max for this kind of setup, I could achieve more with another coil and LLP package of IC for better cooling.

@Bearded, no O-like boost converters are basically plug'n'play, you have to set the current with the potentiometer there, and that is it.
The ones that are a pain are CCS, not meant for laser diodes.

My drivers will be shipped out preset with fixed resistor, for your needs.
It will run stable 200mA, that was tested and confirmed, however I did not test 300mA output.
6x build with GGW will run good at 200mA, but with SF-AW diode , not more than 170mA should be set.

Anyhow, I will be home at wednesday and will make some PCBs, and I should have Bills package containing 10pcs of LM3410X ICs, so I should make some new boost converters.

One is already reserved for custom ordered build, another is meant for a bluray pen laser that is a gift to Bill. I will only have one more available that I said I will give to Spectral for testing.

Basically I don't even have one for my builds.

I will need to find somebody to reship the coilcraft coils as payment with direct credit card number is not an option for me.
I also need to pick up some components from ebay, and they could sure take their sweet time arriving at my door.

I can tell you guys now, don't worry about my drivers being available any time soon, BUT
I will post a feeler thread when I have them, just to see how many people will be interesteed.
How about that?
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
396
Points
18
6x build with GGW will run good at 200mA, but with SF-AW diode , not more than 170mA should be set.

I've seen lots of mixed results with the SF-AW210 all over the forums, and I'm willing to risk 200mA on an SF, because there's a (what I would consider) reasonable chance of it being fine at 200mA.
 

JLSE

1
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
3,580
Points
0
You've confused me with your confusion...

What are you asking?

Im just throwing in the fact that these IC's can perform quite well at high currents. I use them exclusively, just set up differently ;)


wannaburn: could you explain what you're talking about where, please? I'm a little confused.
 




Top