RPL 300 run time.

Hi, I just got my RPL 300. The non-adjustable model. Their web site says it has a duty cycle of 5 min. on and 2 min. off. Mine only runs for about 40 seconds or so before it automatically shuts down?? Does anybody know if this is normal? It seems to me that it should run for 5 minutes... waiting for Jack to get back to me.......
Jay

hmm yea something's wrong if it shuts down after 40 seconds

doesnt it depend on what level ur running it on?
im not too sure how long it runs on level 9 continuous

darklandz said:

doesnt it depend on what level ur running it on?
im not too sure how long it runs on level 9 continuous

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darklandz - it's one with a non-adjustable cap, which should be able to run for 5 minutes according to specs

I thought that max power average runtime is about 60 seconds. Not sure though.

after you charge the battery, try leaving it in with the armed light on overnight and tell me if it helps your runtime.

It makes all the difference on mine. I've got a possible idea but I won't be able to test it out until I get back home. I'm traveling this week and I need to see if some new goodies have come in.

marianne said:

[quote author=darklandz link=1192231086/0#2 date=1192234385]doesnt it depend on what level ur running it on?
im not too sure how long it runs on level 9 continuous

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darklandz - it's one with a non-adjustable cap, which should be able to run for 5 minutes according to specs[/quote]

oh silly me, just misread that for "adjustable cap" lol

darklandz said:

[quote author=marianne link=1192231086/0#3 date=1192234493][quote author=darklandz link=1192231086/0#2 date=1192234385]doesnt it depend on what level ur running it on?
im not too sure how long it runs on level 9 continuous

Click to expand...

darklandz - it's one with a non-adjustable cap, which should be able to run for 5 minutes according to specs[/quote]

oh silly me, just misread that for "adjustable cap" lol[/quote]

Yeah, I think on 5 or 6 you may get an unlimited duty, prolly 7 will give you 5 minutes on.

I'm sure it has to do with battery charge and/or temperature. What is your room temperature, and when it shuts off, does body of laser feel warm?
It would help if you give some details on those points.

Aseras said:

after you charge the battery, try leaving it in with the armed light on overnight and tell me if it helps your runtime.

It makes all the difference on mine. I've got a possible idea but I won't be able to test it out until I get back home. I'm traveling this week and I need to see if some new goodies have come in.

Click to expand...

Hi Aseras,
I called Jay right after he must have posted this.
It should definitely have a much longer run time and it did when I tested it before shipping on Wednesday.

I told him to try seeing if running the battery down some would help. You had mentioned this before, so I thought he might see if his was the same.
I thought it might be battery related as I didn't ship it with the same battery I used to test it, I put a brand new fully charged cell in the RPL right before I packaged it up.

I'm going to have him send it right back if doesn't improve to his liking with a slight discharge and a new one will be sent. I also think it's only fair I compensate Jay for this and he'll get some cool optics stuff on the exchange.

Jack

I do NOT recommend using these lasers with a fixed output! You are taking a BIG risk running them at WOT (wide open throttle) all the time.

bootleg2go said:

[quote author=Aseras link=1192231086/0#5 date=1192236797]after you charge the battery, try leaving it in with the armed light on overnight and tell me if it helps your runtime.

It makes all the difference on mine.  I've got a possible idea but I won't be able to test it out until I get back home. I'm traveling this week and I need to see if some new goodies have come in.

Click to expand...

Hi Aseras,
I called Jay right after he must have posted this.
It should definitely have a much longer run time and it did when I tested it before shipping on Wednesday.

I told him to try seeing if running the battery down some would help. You had mentioned this before, so I thought he might see if his was the same.
I thought it might be battery related as I didn't ship it with the same battery I used to test it, I put a brand new fully charged cell in the RPL right before I packaged it up.

I'm going to have him send it right back if doesn't improve to his liking with a slight discharge and a new one will be sent. I also think it's only fair I compensate Jay for this and he'll get some cool optics stuff on the exchange.

Jack[/quote]
Yeah, I did get a little worried when I first turned it on and only got 40 seconds....so I started the thread to find out more information....Jack called me back with in 30 minutes or so. One thing....I definately feel more comfortable about it the customer service that I have already read about...I'm sure that Jack will take care of me if it doesn't improve...I will post back with results if anybody is interested...
Jay

Nordhavn said:

I do NOT recommend using these lasers with a fixed output! You are taking a BIG risk running them at WOT (wide open throttle) all the time.

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the problem i see with that is these lasers are designed to be able to operate at their specified output, if they can't manage that they are defective and need to be exchanged.

MarioMaster said:

[quote author=Nordhavn link=1192231086/0#10 date=1192246763]I do NOT recommend using these lasers with a fixed output! You are taking a BIG risk running them at WOT (wide open throttle) all the time.

Click to expand...

the problem i see with that is these lasers are designed to be able to operate at their specified output, if they can't manage that they are defective and need to be exchanged.[/quote]


It probably can operate at 300mw indefinitely. Problem is the current and temperature need to be matched. That's the problem with handhelds of these size and the science behind a pumped laser. Lab modules use tight regulation and thermal management that is just not practical in a handheld device. The adjustable cap as much as it annoys me is a necessity to get the best out of this laser. Honestly I don't even know why the key (full on) caps are even an option. Purchasing it like this is essentially crippling your laser. It's like buying a motorcycle with one gear and a tall one at that.

This conclusion comes from over a year's experience with using these (RPL) lasers under varying conditions from freezing cold to the tropics. Adjustable is the best compromise.

Nordhavn said:

I do NOT recommend using these lasers with a fixed output!  You are taking a BIG risk running them at WOT (wide open throttle) all the time.  

Click to expand...

THey are never ran nowhere near wide open throttle on these if you got the adjustable one and set the power level to 9 it would only feed enough to get the diode to push out 80% of its full power so the diode is never being overworked it has something to do with it shutting off with the auto shutdown on the RPLs when it is overheated. Im pretty sure there is a thread around here somehwere explaining it in full detail.

There have been some misconceptions abound that the RPL has a 5 minute duty cycle. I would like to clarify that the maximum recommended spec for a high power RPL unit at full power setting is 50 seconds. Some can run much longer, but 50 seconds is the supported limit as far as the manufacturer is concerned.

That said, if you're only getting 40 seconds, there may be a problem with the unit. Its good you're getting it replaced.