Red laser not working after cold weather

[Crazlaser]

I was doing some nighttime photography with my lasers. One of them was my challenger 635nm from sanwu. Nice little unit. Problem is I went inside to deal with cookies finished baking, (i had turned all my lasers off) and came back out 15 minutes later to all my lasers except this one working. Even my Oclaro 638nm still would turn on. Now only a faint dim dot is emitted from the laser only visible when looking nearly into the laser, obviously not directly in, incase it turned back on. I'm concerned because it's been an hour and the problem is still here. I changed batteries and the laser is warm. The temperature outside is about 43 F.

Any thoughts? Is this my doing or would Podo cover warranty. I really can't afford to send it back to China, that's crazy expensive. I also could do a video if anyone thinks it could help diagnose.
edit: I'm trying not to be pessimistic about it and I know sanwu is good, but I'm feeling a little bit ripped off. $150 laser dies after 6 days and I'm pretty sure the diode looks "led'd." It was working fine, now it barely turns on and I'm out all this money. Podo is probably going to ask me to send it back to china for warranty repair and I'll be chilling here after losing $40+ to send it.

 

[BobMc]

Any chance it's a mutil-mode and it switched modes?

 

[Crazlaser]

Any chance it's a mutil-mode and it switched modes?

Nope, definitely only on and off. And very dim at that, can't even see the dot on the wall, just glowing barely. Fresh bats too. I emailed Francis.

 

[BobMc]

Nope, definitely only on and off. And very dim at that, can't even see the dot on the wall, just glowing barely. Fresh bats too. I emailed Francis.

Hope it gets worked out. Gotta be a tough one to go through. Best wishes. Edit------------------------------- I was thinking maybe you got sent a muliti-mode by mistake? Why don't you half push the tail cap five times, a couple of try's and see what happens?

 

[Podo]

Yes, we will cover that and you don't need to send it back. We will send you a new 635nm diode module as replacement.

 

[Crazlaser]

Yes, we will cover that and you don't need to send it back. We will send you a new 635nm diode module as replacement.

Thank you very much. Would I need to do any soldering?

 

[Podo]

No, you just need to remove the old module and screw in the new one, takes less than a minute to do it.

 

[Crazlaser]

Wait! Don't send it! I woke up and it was dim, then flickered to life. I have a feeling it had something to do with the temperature thing that Sanwu advertises. If it stops working again I'll notify you, but no need as of now.

 

[Sta]

Wait! Don't send it! I woke up and it was dim, then flickered to life. I have a feeling it had something to do with the temperature thing that Sanwu advertises. If it stops working again I'll notify you, but no need as of now.

That's great news! I guess you tripped the temperature protection in the driver. :beer:

 

[GSS]

That's great news! I guess you tripped the temperature protection in the driver. :beer:

I looked at Sanwu sight and saw his mentioned protection features.
Just how does it reset itself and why would it take over night and flicker back? as Crazlaser mentioned is how it came back to life?

 

[CurtisOliver]

Good of you to offer a replacement diode Podo. :beer: + rep.
As for your laser Sean, I am glad it is working again.

 

[GSS]

I looked at Sanwu sight and saw his mentioned protection features.
Just how does it reset itself and why would it take over night and flicker back? as Crazlaser mentioned is how it came back to life?

Anyone?

 

[Crazlaser]

Anyone?

Maybe Cyp or diachi or Alaskan would be nice enough to answer.

 

[Crazlaser]

Ugh. It stopped working again last night after using it for a while and I was adhering to the duty cycle, I put it in its case, came back twenty minutes later and it didn't work. Still doesn't. Any help? Podo, I might need to take you up on that warranty offer. The driver or something keeps shutting down the laser making it useless.

 

[Podo]

Ugh. It stopped working again last night after using it for a while and I was adhering to the duty cycle, I put it in its case, came back twenty minutes later and it didn't work. Still doesn't. Any help? Podo, I might need to take you up on that warranty offer. The driver or something keeps shutting down the laser making it useless.

We will send a replacement module to you as said before. :beer:

 

[Benm]

It is possible that the cold actually damaged your laser diode... by making it work better!

Laser diodes become more efficient as they are cooled, which is usually good, but not when they are driven hard: this could cause the output to increase to a point where the optical power damages the cavity mirror ends.

I cannot be sure this is what happened to you, it could also be some electronic problem, though i don't see any reason why that would not be reversible when changing back to normal operating temperatures.

I see Podo is offering you a replacement under warrantee which is excellent. Perhaps they could examine the failed unit to see what the actual problem is, and if it's electronic perhaps fix it so that the lasers are no longer damaged by cold.