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Confused about laser diode drivers

anton

anton

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I'm confused on if certain diodes need certain drivers since I heard that red diodes need a soft start driver. So I would like to know for future reference what diodes can I just use a plain driver that comes with Survival Lasers host assemblys and what diodes need a special driver?
 





Cyparagon

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No laser diοdes need soft start (that I'm aware of). I'm not sure where you read that, but it is wrong.
 
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anton

anton

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I'm looking to build a laser with the Oclaro 700. I want to save money and buy a cheaper driver than just buying the diode with the nano driver. But I can't seem to find a driver set to 1.2A, survival lasers sells this one: Survival Laser Driver
But I'm not sure if it's bad that it's slightly over the max current for the diode.
 
BobMc

BobMc

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anton said:
I'm looking to build a laser with the Oclaro 700. I want to save money and buy a cheaper driver than just buying the diode with the nano driver. But I can't seem to find a driver set to 1.2A, survival lasers sells this one: Survival Laser Driver
But I'm not sure if it's bad that it's slightly over the max current for the diode.
Click to expand...


I built a 700 in a c6 host and used the driver presit at 1.25 amps from Survival and she's been running for a couple of months. Through it is true I don't fire it that often, but every time I do she springs to life. My opinion is, the extra .05 amps is not to bad. If it's any help, she's one bright red laser!

Ps, you might want to ask a member named Crazlaser what he used as his driver board in his 700 c6 build for another opinion ?? Food for thought. :)
 
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lasersbee

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anton said:
I'm looking to build a laser with the Oclaro 700. I want to save money and buy a cheaper driver than just buying the diode with the nano driver. But I can't seem to find a driver set to 1.2A, survival lasers sells this one: Survival Laser Driver
But I'm not sure if it's bad that it's slightly over the max current for the diode.
Click to expand...
Unless you want to buy another Oclaro 700 I would suggest that
you use the recommended driver from where you bought it.
I assuming you bought your LD from DTR.

Jerry
 
Lifetime17

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Hi,
I just built a mitsu 500 / set to 1.2A @ 980+mW's , And i have the same diode and driver in another build that i did two years ago no issues. As laser bee said go with DTR's set up for your 700 if your not sure about your build.

Rich:)
 
BobMc

BobMc

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Lifetime17 said:
Hi,
I just built a mitsu 500 / set to 1.2A @ 980+mW's , And i have the same diode and driver in another build that i did two years ago no issues. As laser bee said go with DTR's set up for your 700 if your not sure about your build.

Rich:)
Click to expand...

I think the discrepancy is about the .05 amps. DTR recommends 1.20 amps max for the 700. I built mine with a Survival bundle with the driver presit at 1.25 amps. Don't know if it's a good thing or bad but she's still up and running? Time will tell, so I'll let you know. :thinking:
 
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anton

anton

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So if their isn't a cheaper driver I can buy I guess I'll just buy the diode from DTR with the pre installed nano driver.
 
HydroSean

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anton said:
So if their isn't a cheaper driver I can buy I guess I'll just buy the diode from DTR with the pre installed nano driver.
Click to expand...

DTR's prices are pretty competitive and he is also very helpful. The nano-driver w/ diode in the full-length module from DTR fits in the extended hosts from SurvivalLasers as well.
 
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D

dden4012

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The SL driver is specced 4.2v to 8.4v. I guess they are trying to say it will work with 1 or 2 cells depending on what diode vf is. Looks like DTR drove it to 1.7a. @ 2.7v.
 
HydroSean

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dden4012 said:
The SL driver is specced 4.2v to 8.4v. I guess they are trying to say it will work with 1 or 2 cells depending on what diode vf is. Looks like DTR drove it to 1.7a. @ 2.7v.
Click to expand...

Yes exactly, on DTR's site it says 2V-6V input. So just use one 3.7V lithium-ion battery with his driver.
 
lasersbee

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anton said:
So if their isn't a cheaper driver I can buy I guess I'll just buy the diode from DTR with the pre installed nano driver.
Click to expand...
That's what I did.. was happy with my decision...:beer:

Jerry
 
Crazlaser

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I'll comment. I bought the diode originally and burned it out by trying to use a survival laser driver which I chose incorrectly. Then I bought the diode again the pre installed nano driver and it worked great. That's what I recommend.
 
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BobMc

BobMc

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I have built both, a 700 from DTR with a nano driver set at 1 amp plus, and a G2 lens putting out aprox 800mw's. Running on one 3.7-4.2 volt battery . Also a Survival Laser bundle with a presit driver at 1.25 amps with a DTR 700 with g2 lens running on one 3.7 - 4.2 volt battery putting out aprox 1.2 watts. One is being run a lot harder, but both work. That has been my experience. Hope it helps. :)
 
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