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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

varying output on DDL's LD PSU?

Joined
Sep 16, 2007
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304
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Dear All,

My laser setup using DDL's PSU recently ran out of battery. I was previously powering it with 4 x CR123A Lithium cells putting out a total of 12v.

Recently I bought 4 x CR123 (smaller) batteries and used those but the voltage output is of course still 12v.

The thing is, my LD is now very bright and it seems to be more powerful that it was the last time. I know it's silly to have to ask this here but I have recently re-located to the UK and I don't have a DMM with me at the moment so I can't measure the new current and voltage output that the PSU is putting out.

My question would be, assuming the current and voltage pots on the PSU are untouched, is it possible that the PSU's output has now changed simply because of a change in battery configuration (but same battery voltage)? Wouldn't the PSU's output be 'locked' by the pots and be regulated accordingly?

Thanks guys.
 





Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
303
Points
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It shouldn't change much. How many mAh were the old batteries? And the new ones? Ambient temperature differences? I had a similar experience with mine, and what happened is while messing with mine, a connection got jumped, by passing the LM317, and putting almost 400mA to a Stonetek diode. It was SUPER bright and was slicing through black plastic like butter.

Point is, I would double check your circuit, and go buy a $5 meter before you end up burning out your LD.
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
304
Points
0
Hi Desslok,

Well I made the whole thing in a really hot country and now I'm in England and it's Winter so it is much colder here...

I'm sure the older batteries had much higher mAh simply because there were larger but the discharge rate might be a little different.

I don't think I have any shorts on the PSU but I'll check.... my LD isn't as bright as what you described but it is much brighter than it previously was but although I think it's now the 'right' brightness simply because I can now see the beam coming out of it even indoors and it seems that way on people's videos hehehe.

Cheers.
 




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