Another 9mm blue diode with issues, any insights into this?

Jmillerdoc · Dec 4, 2013

There is a similar post to this one here recently but since my set up and problems are slightly different I thought a new post was appropriate.

I bought a completed laser from a forum member here a couple weeks ago. On inspection it appears to have the same driver Rick Trent is selling on eBay, one of the four mode with three output levels and strobe. The laser was pulling 3.2W when I received it and a couple days ago I pulled it out from my case and started playing with it, immediately I noticed the output was about half of the previous output. All four modes work but each is now probably half the previous output. I have not LPM'd it yet but in comparison visually to a known 1.6w blue, the max output appears very close.

For the record, since I've had it I have less than 30mins total time in operation. I have no idea what time the diode had on it prior to my purchase. I never dropped it or changed anything (batteries, etc) between the time it worked well until now. I don't think these drivers are adjustable either.

I have had diodes burn up to where the output drops to about 5% of original then completely blow a little while later. I've never seen one drop to half the output before.

I plan to try the diode with a different driver soon (one on order) but my intuition tells me this is the diode. Looking at the internal views on DTR's website it appears the diode element receives it's current through about five or six hair thin wires. If one or more of those wires fried could it lead to a reduced output like this? Anyone here have any similar experience or insight into this?
It would make some sense that you could get reduced output if one or more of those hair thin wires burned up and it would also make sense that if they did, the remaining current would try to route through the remaining wires, thus burning them up in short order a little while later. Does anyone agree with this theory?

Please let me know y'alls experience with these. They are new to me as I've been away from the hobby for around a year now. I am really excited about these new diodes but am starting to get suspicious they are being driven too hard by some (me) and it would be nice to know if that is correct.

Thanks!
Jmilllerdoc

Blord · Dec 4, 2013

I would ask the seller for a replacement. 30 minutes runtime is just too short. it is basically still a new laser. Or did you bought it second hand ?

Other things you may check :
-Are the batteries still okay ? check the voltages.
-Is the lens or the diode window dirty ? It might block some of the precious laserlight.
-The raw output of the laser without the lens. Is there any unusual pattern in the blue light ? One or more lines missing ?

NKO29 · Dec 4, 2013

LOL i had a 9mm diode literally only last 10 seconds

Started REALLY bright then then flicked a few times and died

Jmillerdoc · Dec 4, 2013

To be honest I did think it had more scatter than before, I haven't tried pulling the lens and checking the lines. In fact, I never thought to look at the lens to see if it got dirty. Hard to believe a dirty lens could cut the output to half without making it look really funky. I will check and get back with you all.

Batteries are all perfect and high quality and new. Using 26650 x2.

I keep the laser wrapped in a clean bubble wrap Baggie when it's in the case, hard to believe it could have gotten dirty but I will do the checks as you mentioned.

Also, to the person mentioning a refund...it was a built secondhand laser. I usually build my own but when I heard of these new 9mm I really wanted to check one out and a guy had one for sale LPM'd at 3.2w in a nice host for $200. I figured I could build one for a little less but no guarantee on the diode I got would have this much output.

I am really hoping itis a dirty lens. That would be easy to fix.

ricktrent4 · Dec 6, 2013

there are some drive out there that look like my driver but are cheaper .I got 2 in to try and they had less parts on them and I was afraid to use them. I have had good luck with the ones I get in and they worked on the 5w red,

Jmillerdoc said:
There is a similar post to this one here recently but since my set up and problems are slightly different I thought a new post was appropriate.

I bought a completed laser from a forum member here a couple weeks ago. On inspection it appears to have the same driver Rick Trent is selling on eBay, one of the four mode with three output levels and strobe. The laser was pulling 3.2W when I received it and a couple days ago I pulled it out from my case and started playing with it, immediately I noticed the output was about half of the previous output. All four modes work but each is now probably half the previous output. I have not LPM'd it yet but in comparison visually to a known 1.6w blue, the max output appears very close.

For the record, since I've had it I have less than 30mins total time in operation. I have no idea what time the diode had on it prior to my purchase. I never dropped it or changed anything (batteries, etc) between the time it worked well until now. I don't think these drivers are adjustable either.

I have had diodes burn up to where the output drops to about 5% of original then completely blow a little while later. I've never seen one drop to half the output before.

I plan to try the diode with a different driver soon (one on order) but my intuition tells me this is the diode. Looking at the internal views on DTR's website it appears the diode element receives it's current through about five or six hair thin wires. If one or more of those wires fried could it lead to a reduced output like this? Anyone here have any similar experience or insight into this?
It would make some sense that you could get reduced output if one or more of those hair thin wires burned up and it would also make sense that if they did, the remaining current would try to route through the remaining wires, thus burning them up in short order a little while later. Does anyone agree with this theory?

Please let me know y'alls experience with these. They are new to me as I've been away from the hobby for around a year now. I am really excited about these new diodes but am starting to get suspicious they are being driven too hard by some (me) and it would be nice to know if that is correct.

Thanks!
Jmilllerdoc

Another 9mm blue diode with issues, any insights into this?

Jmillerdoc

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Blord

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NKO29

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Jmillerdoc

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ricktrent4

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