First Casualty: dead BDR-209 diode

[BowtieGuy]

Andrew, Jstr hasn't posted since 4/16, so chances are, he's not going to respond.
That's a good question though, I've always put a G-2 lens on my 405's and not changed back and forth with anything else, and so far so good, mine are still going. :yh:

 

[Andrew124C41]

Andrew, Jstr hasn't posted since 4/16, so chances are, he's not going to respond.
That's a good question though, I've always put a G-2 lens on my 405's and not changed back and forth with anything else, and so far so good, mine are still going. :yh:

Thanks for telling me that. I suspect, like everyone else here, I have learned by getting information from others more experienced than me, research, and just plain old trial and error. I wish I had had more of the first two, but there are just some things you pick up from making mistakes.

I did a lot of experiments changing lenses not to mention mistakes in the earlier builds. The first NDB7875 I purchased from DTR in a 12 mm module with driver has been in two different hosts and has undergone numerous lens changes. Over time, I noticed deterioration in the beam shape and power. While difficult to see, the window was damaged. The same is true for my first 405 BDR 209. I can still kill a balloon at 25 feet, but the beam does not look clean...best way to put it....even with a new lens. I am probably going to simply put a new diode in it. The window is too small to see. I don't have something to magnify it. I would bet that it is the window. I have also damaged a NUBM44 in a similar manner. Finally, my NUB07E has lost power. The beam shape has changed a little. This diode is something I am not familiear with. It does not look the same as others....I cannot see a window...only what looks like wire....kind of like a small antenna....I would really like to know what makes the diode tick. I know that others think air exposure kills them over time. I am considering replacing it with the N465.

 

[GSS]

Andrew, do you use these builds alot or feel they somewhat degraded premature?

 

[Andrew124C41]

Andrew, do you use these builds alot or feel they somewhat degraded premature?

That is a good question. Jordan, AKA, DTR, suggests not leaving diodes open to the air after instillation, that just one speck of foreign matter on the window can cause damage when the diode heats. While I don't know this as a fact because my knowledge with respect to details of these diodes is limited....I am sure others here can answer this question better than I can. However, what Jordan suggests makes sense to me.

We live in an apartment. I am not exactly set up the way I would like to be for an electronics or machine shop. My point being that my build environment was a tad messy. There were time that the modules were left open (in retrospect) alloweing for foreign body entry. The diodes were not pushed hard in terms of the amperagae settings which were done by Jordan.

I did not use any of them "hard" that is frequently. Nor did I run them with an excessive on half of the duty cycle.

Finally, we are not using these diodes in the manner in which they were designed, essentially repurposing them. So, I think when you combine everything, what I would now in retrospect characterize as not particularly careful treatment along with how they are being used, is the likely culpret.

I do not plan on using anything other than a 3 element lens in my replacement 7875 build. So, lets see how long it last.

For my NUBM44 I am trying to find a real heat sink, extruded AL, with fins, to do a better job dissipating the heat. None of the ones I have looked at is quite right for the job. I can't exactly walk around with a 5 inch diameter heat sink on the end of a Maglite modification

 

[GSS]

Kind of the same living situation and set up as me..
I don't have much room for a permanent work station, well I guess I can find a corner but my cat would be all over it kinda sad but its the truth..
I have a burroe that I use a few draws to store the builds that are in cases but keep everything else in small tupperware all over the top. For me to build, its a whole scenerio of bringing out everything to my coffee table, soldering iron, helping hands, extention cords, tupperware etc. then put everything back while hoping my dam cat doesn't knock anything off while I turn my head for a sec.
I even have a permanant copper wire attached to my coffee table metal legs to hook my arm band esd strap to too.
I do though keep all the lenses on my modules especially because I live in a very dusty area and if not sealed in some type of bag.
I haven't noticed any power loss, nor burnt diode lens yet. I do have a decanned A140 and its still going well..
Cats growing and almost 4 so maby her play will slow and I can setup a proper station
To have so many diodes slowly losing power is a bit odd..I have to ask about the battery's being ok?

 

[Andrew124C41]

Kind of the same living situation and set up as me..
I don't have much room for a permanent work station, well I guess I can find a corner but my cat would be all over it kinda sad but its the truth..
I have a burroe that I use a few draws to store the builds that are in cases but keep everything else in small tupperware all over the top. For me to build, its a whole scenerio of bringing out everything to my coffee table, soldering iron, helping hands, extention cords, tupperware etc. then put everything back while hoping my dam cat doesn't knock anything off while I turn my head for a sec.
I even have a permanant copper wire attached to my coffee table metal legs to hook my arm band esd strap to too.
I do though keep all the lenses on my modules especially because I live in a very dusty area and if not sealed in some type of bag.
I haven't noticed any power loss, nor burnt diode lens yet. I do have a decanned A140 and its still going well..
Cats growing and almost 4 so maby her play will slow and I can setup a proper station
To have so many diodes slowly losing power is a bit odd..I have to ask about the battery's being ok?

I charge the batteries myself with a constant current/voltage PSU and keep an eye on them....to 4.1 volts. I am pretty sure that it was the windows. the 465 is another matter....it is known to degrade.

 

[GSS]

These N's are from the same manufacturer.
If the 465 is known to degrade then its something to think about?
Lets hope BobM chimes in with his thoughts as he's got both. Only problem is he has so so so many who knows just how much he uses them

 

[Andrew124C41]

These N's are from the same manufacturer.
If the 465 is known to degrade then its something to think about?
Lets hope BobM chimes in with his thoughts as he's got both. Only problem is he has so so so many who knows just how much he uses them

Bob has enough that I think he can use one of them a day for a year lol