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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Life span of a LOC 650nm LD

Joined
Jul 20, 2010
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Hello LPF member!
A few days ago I built a red laser pointer, I used a groove 2 driver I set it in the high current setting, and turn the pot all the way up, the laser is amazing, I'm using 3 AAA batteris with 850mAh in series, which gives me 3.6V in total. So now i'm wondering, how long does a LOC diode usually last for, what is its lifespan, should I turn down the pot a little bit down? (I think the current is around 500ma) So I'm not sure if I should turn the pot down. The last question is, if I should use alkaline batteries instead of the rechargable Nimh, because I heard rechargable batteries aren't that great for Lasers, so what's your opinion LPF ppl??

Here's some pictures of my laser, I know it doesn't have a heat sink, but I don't leave the laser on for more than 30 seconds, I will build one as soon as I go back to school and I have the tools. btw it's mounted on a Dorcy flashlight.

laser1.jpg


laser3.jpg


laser2c.jpg

Thanks,
Federico
 





Joined
Nov 7, 2008
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I'd turn the current down to no more than 450mA, preferably even less. Also, without a heatsink the lifespan at currents above 250mA will be quite short. At or below 250mA these diodes will last quite a long time at temps up to 75C.
 
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
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500ma is pretty high for an LOC. You should probably back it down to 400-420 ma for a reasonable lifetime, especially whit no heatsinking.




Edit: damn EF beat me.

:)
 
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Yeah I guess I should stop using it until I get proper heatsinking for the diode, by the way even if I use the diode for short periods of time, for about 30secs, is it still bad for the diode? I touch the module every now and then, and it only get warm, not hot, I can touch it and I'll just feel it's warm, it kind of feels like the temperature of a person with fever, so maybe 38 celcius (96ish in F)...
 
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The heat is not the only issue. The overcurrent is hurting the diode more than the heat is.
 
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Alright thanks for the info, I've lowered the current and made a temporary heatsink, using a bag and cold water :p works great! keeps the module at about 5 degrees all the time.

P.S. what about the use of rechargable batteries? is it bad? I use Nimh
 




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