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GGW - not busted

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vect0rx

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Hey guys,

I bought two pocket mini kits recently, the 'hot option' set to 180mA, post build I was rather surprised to meter the output peaking around 400mW, sitting in the mid to high 300s and then slowly ramping down to the mid 200s while blinking in high/low/high/low pattern of intensity.

Now when power up I get a nasty/dirty looking beam. Attempted to Q-tip w/small amount of rubbing alcohol as well as a few dry blasts of air duster and it makes no difference:

ggw-degraded.jpg


By looking, can someone confirm that this diode is on it's way out or is there any other way clear a beam up once this has occurred?

thanks,

-vect0rx
 
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Tech_Junkie

Tech_Junkie

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

It does look dirty. First I'd check the setting of the driver. It should of never ramped up over 200mW. There may be an error there, and why your diode is slowly loosing power.
 
V

vect0rx

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

UPDATE: I wasn't able to get the beam cleaner, but I took apart and made sure that none of the pins/wires/etc were touching the inside or one another and the strange behavior stopped.

I just metered it at a 205mW peak/199mW steady; 214mW peak/207mW when it's warmed up from a little use.

Any tips on cleaning the diode window are still appreciated.

thanks,

-vect0rx
 
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Tech_Junkie

Tech_Junkie

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

I've read people using 90% alcohol, acetone, and even scrapping the window. PM Flamingpyro. I know he has had some good success.
 
IsaacT

IsaacT

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

By scrapping do u mean removing the window?! :eek:
 
Tech_Junkie

Tech_Junkie

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

No. Using a plastic scrapper, scrape across the top of the can and across the window.

If the window breaks, or gets dislodged, you have to de-can the diode.
 
RA_pierce

RA_pierce

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

I use 90% alcohol (sparingly) and a cotton swab with gentle pressure.
 
Coherent Light

Coherent Light

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

Your Diode is not behind an Acrylic Lens is it? I use Methanol to clean Optics, and I swear by it. T_J Do You really have to de-can the Diode? I am still running My abused 445 in it's can without the window.
 
Tech_Junkie

Tech_Junkie

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

No if its running OK, but it could cause problems bouncing around in there. As long as you do the de-canning right, and keep the threads of the lens sealed by some Teflon tape, it should stay protected.
 
IsaacT

IsaacT

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

I wish I could find an explanation step by step with what happens in the diode....especially open can diodes....they are mind boggling because everything is in the open!
 
Coherent Light

Coherent Light

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Re: Is my GGW busted?

Tech_Junkie said:
No if its running OK, but it could cause problems bouncing around in there. As long as you do the de-canning right, and keep the threads of the lens sealed by some Teflon tape, it should stay protected.
Click to expand...
Awesome Information.

Thank You Very Much.
allhail.gif
 
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