I'M DONE FOR NOW

I don't know how some of you guys can afford it, but I sure know I can't.

I have had

1x phr @ 135mA 6 hours
2x AW210? 6x @ 185mA 10 min run time and @170mA 1 min run time
1x O-Like Nichia @ 180mA for 40 min run time

Die on me. :'( :'( :'(

As much as I love making lasers, I simply can't afford to keep going on like this. I am going to have to take a break from this hobby. I may come back or I may not. I will still stick around in the forums though.

I'm sorry to hear that. We have all fried our share of diodes, it's just something that has to happen before we get really good at making lasers. I've toaasted many, many diodes. ;D

styropyro said:

I'm sorry to hear that. We have all fried our share of diodes, it's just something that has to happen before we get really good at making lasers. I've toaasted many, many diodes. ;D

Click to expand...

I have made about 10 good lasers and then suddenly I hit this dry spell. I don't get it.

it's part of the hobby.  We push these babies long and hard and as a result they are going to die.  You've already spent the bulk of funds on the hosts and now it's just a matter of getting replacement diodes, the cheapest part of the hobby for the most part.

Nothing in life is easy.  The harder it is, the more enjoyment you get out of it. or "The best things in life aren't free"

Reminds me of my first few diodes which died untimely (read: premature) deaths due to my sh&^* soldering skills ... At least you pulled off 10 before you "hit the wall" so to speak

Hang in there - take a deep breath, have a beer or two and start over, that's what's worked for me!

You could get yourself some O-Like modules to build into some hosts until
you feel the urge to build comes back...
Like the other members posted... we have all toasted out share of LDs..
Take a time out... and just read the posts for a while... so you don't get
too rusty...

Jerry

BrewCityMusic said:

Reminds me of my first few diodes which died untimely (read: premature) deaths due to my sh&^* soldering skills ... At least you pulled off 10 before you "hit the wall" so to speak  

Hang in there - take a deep breath, have a beer or two and start over, that's what's worked for me!

Click to expand...

Well, I am expecting one more diode to come in the mail this week, so I will be giving it one last shot. I will be sure to drink this time!!

Fortionately, when I give up on something, I usually come back to it in a month or two. I am just out of cash and it's driving me crazy as to how much I have spent out of pocket for this hobby. Granted, it is something that I do love doing.

lasersbee said:

You could get yourself some O-Like modules to build into some hosts until
you feel the urge to build comes back...
Like the other members posted... we have all toasted out share of LDs..
Take a time out... and just read the posts for a while... so you don't get
too rusty...

Jerry

Click to expand...

Trust me, I am not leaving the forum. There is a ton of valuable information on here. Plus, everyone on here is great!
I will take a break for now. It's funny you should mention O-Like modules. I was thinking about making a 50 or 100mW green laser. Maybe, I will do just that.

Thanks again to everyone,
Heath N

Yeah... I bought quite an array of modules from Susie...
and haven't found one yet that is under spec...
And you cant beat her price for on-spec laser modules...

Jerry

Kenom said:

it's part of the hobby.  We push these babies long and hard and as a result they are going to die.  You've already spent the bulk of funds on the hosts and now it's just a matter of getting replacement diodes, the cheapest part of the hobby for the most part.

Nothing in life is easy.  The harder it is, the more enjoyment you get out of it. or "The best things in life aren't free"

Click to expand...

The best thing in life is free. JC

jander6442 said:

[quote author=Kenom link=1239711085/0#3 date=1239714778]it's part of the hobby.  We push these babies long and hard and as a result they are going to die.  You've already spent the bulk of funds on the hosts and now it's just a matter of getting replacement diodes, the cheapest part of the hobby for the most part.

Nothing in life is easy.  The harder it is, the more enjoyment you get out of it. or "The best things in life aren't free"

Click to expand...

The best thing in life is free. JC
[/quote]
For instance...AIR.

I know to some people will think this is off base but, for me I stop when I reach this wall and tie a knot. I have blown as much money/diodes as the next guy. I like to stop and say a prayer when this is happening to me after I'm full with the word and such I feel inspired to try again. Just a little advice from my neck of the world hang in their and just order and keep with the PHR's
offerd by Drew they will give you practice and if sucessful your left with the joy of the build and the very worth while feeling that
the Big Man is on yourside...................


If that doesn't work go to church it can't be to bad for ya...............

this has worked for me and is just advice so there.

jander6442 said:

I know to some people will think this is off base but, for me I stop when I reach this wall and tie a knot. I have blown as much money/diodes as the next guy. I like to stop and say a prayer when this is happening to me after I'm full with the word and such I feel inspired to try again. Just a little advice from my neck of the world hang in their and just order and keep with the PHR's
offerd by Drew they will give you practice and if sucessful your left with the joy of the build and the very worth while feeling that
the Big Man is on yourside...................


If that doesn't work go to church it can't be to bad for ya...............

this has worked for me and is just advice so there.

Click to expand...

HAHA  
I am a religious guy as well and I do go to church.  Maybe the Big Guy isn't on my side for this one.

iskor12 said:

[quote author=lasersbee link=1239711085/0#5 date=1239718193]You could get yourself some O-Like modules to build into some hosts until
you feel the urge to build comes back...
Like the other members posted... we have all toasted out share of LDs..
Take a time out... and just read the posts for a while... so you don't get
too rusty...

Jerry

Click to expand...

Trust me, I am not leaving the forum.  There is a ton of valuable information on here.  Plus, everyone on here is great!
I will take a break for now.  It's funny you should mention O-Like modules.  I was thinking about making a 50 or 100mW green laser.  Maybe, I will do just that.

Thanks again to everyone,
Heath N[/quote]

Good to hear that you're not leaving us!

For instance...AIR.

Click to expand...

...and shareware software, movies, music, etc. etc.

@iskor12.. the reason you're blowing so many diodes is that you're pushing them much too hard. If you run a PHR at 135mA, of course it will only last a few hours.. I understand that it frustrates you, believe me I've been there.. You'll find that if you're a little more conservative with your current settings, your diodes will really last. Instead of pushing a PHR to 135mA, buy a 6X and run it at 135mA. If you want a good life from your PHR, don't exceed 100-110mA.

i just hate to see people get so frustrated when it's their settings that are the problem. It's an easy fix, just don't run these things so hard. You can't just push however many mA you want through a diode and expect it to live very long. These things have limits.. Pushing your SF-AW210 to 185mA is also much too high. On the datasheet for the o-like diode it clearly states 115mA as the maximum operating current.. you may be able to run it harder, but certainly not at 180mA (or anywhere near that).

If you want to run your diodes that hard, that's fine, but you can't really complain too much when they die. And if you're lucky enough to have a datasheet for a diode (like the o-like diode) it really helps to look it over before you hook them up..

iskor12 said:

[quote author=jander6442 link=1239711085/0#11 date=1239723136]I know to some people will think this is off base but, for me I stop when I reach this wall and tie a knot. I have blown as much money/diodes as the next guy. I like to stop and say a prayer when this is happening to me after I'm full with the word and such I feel inspired to try again. Just a little advice from my neck of the world hang in their and just order and keep with the PHR's
offerd by Drew they will give you practice and if sucessful your left with the joy of the build and the very worth while feeling that
the Big Man is on yourside...................


If that doesn't work go to church it can't be to bad for ya...............

this has worked for me and is just advice so there.

Click to expand...

HAHA  
I am a religious guy as well and I do go to church.  Maybe the Big Guy isn't on my side for this one.[/quote]I hear you on that, maybe you should look at your offerings If you have put the diodes before the offerings not good I did that. Put in the ty first and in the long run you will
be rewarded. I know that sounds like a rebuke it's not just experiance