Problem with laser and questions

[jadrien1]

I have one of the 445nm lasers from blord, I got it like two years ago and after about a month of having it it just stopped working. I vaguely remember it flickering then just nothing. Well I was curious and wanted to get it back up and running today since it cost quite a bit, I charged the battery and put it in and then turned it on. There is a very faint blue light coming out of the laser, I was wondering if someone could help me troubleshoot what happened with it. I am assuming the diode went out or the driver died but am not sure how to test it. I am fairly new to this whole thing and would really like to delve into it deeper.

 

[doubleone44]

What battery/batteries are you using? Most 445nm lasers require 2x 18350 or 16340 to supply the higher voltage need. Pics of it would be nice too (to determine if it has Catastrophic Optical Damage or COD, means the laser diode won't "lase" anymore and only puts out normal light

 

[jadrien1]

What battery/batteries are you using? Most 445nm lasers require 2x 18350 or 16340 to supply the higher voltage need. Pics of it would be nice too (to determine if it has Catastrophic Optical Damage or COD, means the laser diode won't "lase" anymore and only puts out normal light

The battery is a single 18650. I have also attached a photo of what it looks like, I had to turn the light off because the blue light is barely visible with the light on.

Edit: Heres a link to the image, it wouldnt upload on here Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

 

[Apocalypse]

Do you have a multimeter? If so you could try testing the voltage drop and the current across the diode. It should be around 4.5-5.0V and around >1A if you have a 445nm multimode diode. It all depends on what diode you have.

Also have you checked if your battery or tail cap was good?

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
How was the out put when you first bought it? Did it work ok with the cells you had originally? PM him and ask him what diode is in it this was you can determine the cells you need to power it. On the other hand it looks like its almost LED if it is well sorry about that. If you had a PSU you can test it in a lab sink.What driver is in there also might need a little surgery thats all .

Rich

You have 3 post since 2013 were have you been buddy you have to start hanging out here more often and start building your own.LOL !!

 

[jadrien1]

Hi,
How was the out put when you first bought it? Did it work ok with the cells you had originally? PM him and ask him what diode is in it this was you can determine the cells you need to power it. On the other hand it looks like its almost LED if it is well sorry about that. If you had a PSU you can test it in a lab sink.What driver is in there also might need a little surgery thats all .

Rich

You have 3 post since 2013 were have you been buddy you have to start hanging out here more often and start building your own.LOL !!

I bought it from blord on the forum here, the output was about 1.3 watts when I bought it. Nice and bright with a steady beam that can be seen. Yeah it did and I havent bought any other cells, these are the ones that I got with the laser. I've tried pming him but hes away on vacation until next week. Yeah i know it looks like an LED now haha. I dont have anything I can test the diode with unfortunately.. and that is what I am thinking is the problem, the driver.

Yeahhh I made an account and posted like one thing and ordered a laser then it broke and I kind of lost interest. Just started wanting to get back in to it and maybe get into actual building and what not lol.

 

[jadrien1]

Do you have a multimeter? If so you could try testing the voltage drop and the current across the diode. It should be around 4.5-5.0V and around >1A if you have a 445nm multimode diode. It all depends on what diode you have.

Also have you checked if your battery or tail cap was good?

I do have a multimeter, I will have to test it when I get home from work. I will see if I can get more info on the diode as well. I have not checked the tail cap or battery I will check the battery tonight, how do I test the tail cap? All seems well with it and the battery but I cant be 100 percent sure.

 

[Lifetime17]

First check your cells. i would try new one first. no cheap one AW, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung
You said you had them since you bought the laser.

 

[jadrien1]

First check your cells. i would try new one first. no cheap one AW, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung
You said you had them since you bought the laser.

Where is a good place to purchase a new one?