Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

BDR-209 burn out?

Spoomples

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
54
Points
18
A BDR-209 diode I recently ordered died after a few minutes of use. When I was troubleshooting the problem, I noticed that the copper module module could get notably hotter then the aluminum heatsink. I did not use the back end for the module due to space constraints, and I didn't use thermal paste as it was a good fit in the module. The driver was an ACS1500SE set to 600ma, and the current tested before and after the diodes death.

Is the most likely cause of death overheating?
 
Last edited:





Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
17,433
Points
113
It is impossible to say without seeing it, but it likely failed by catastrophic optical damage, or COD. Even at 600 mA that diode is still being driven very much over its specifications. Because this diode has a high forward voltage they do tend to produce a lot of heat which should be mitigated with the use of a large heat sink. Luckily, it is not a very expensive diode, so you will have many opportunities to try again.
 

Spoomples

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
54
Points
18
It is impossible to say without seeing it, but it likely failed by catastrophic optical damage, or COD. Even at 600 mA that diode is still being driven very much over its specifications. Because this diode has a high forward voltage they do tend to produce a lot of heat which should be mitigated with the use of a large heat sink. Luckily, it is not a very expensive diode, so you will have many opportunities to try again.

Retries at this price range are something I am unfortunately used to. Killed 3 ~700mw 635nm diodes in a row before giving up and deciding to buy one pre-built. Hopefully a solid half back and a dollop of decent thermal compound will save me from that fate with violet.
 
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Messages
9,907
Points
113
You should stay under 500ma, 450-475ma is really full power if you want them to last although some have had good luck using a longer ramp up.
At 500ma you will get about 825-850mw with a G2 lens, as for your heat sink the better transfer of heat the higher your maintained output but your problem is likely that you pushed it too hard, these diodes just don't want to survive at 1w which is what you get at 600ma, but that's just too much and I would rather have it last at 450ma doing 750mw or push to 500ma for 835mw but there's no reason to go any higher, it's just not that big of a difference but you will burn out these diodes much faster trying to reach 1w output.
I have one running at 475ma that's survived a long time putting out 800mw and another at 450ma doing 750mw that's survived a long time.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
577
Points
43
You must use heatsink compound when inserting the copper module into the heatsink. You would be amazed how much difference it makes. Even polished metal is not flat. It has tiny high and lot points like a mountain range. You end up with maybe only 10 percent of the metal in contact with the other metal. Heatsink compund fills up the low points and you end up with almost 100 percent in contact with the heatsink. That's why the copper module was much hotter than the heatsink. With proper compound the copper module and heatsink will both be about the same temperature.
 
Joined
Oct 31, 2017
Messages
41
Points
18
I have currently BDR-209 from DTR with nano boost drive. DTR said driver is set at 630mA.
Still working fine even after 5 or 6 months.
First build lasted 3 months or so, and was set at 530mA (don't know on what current they run in DVD burners at but even at 530 it is probably overdriven a lot). Also I would try to use heatsinking compound where I can (Diode module || heatsink, heatsink || host). If you don't care about divergence you can go with this:


BDRs are just too sensitive. Good luck!
 

Spoomples

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
54
Points
18
Thanks the suggestions, I'll try lowing the current a bit. I already ordered a replacement diode, but I'll try out the multi-mode violet the next time I go for this color.
 
Joined
May 12, 2017
Messages
961
Points
93
Thanks the suggestions, I'll try lowing the current a bit. I already ordered a replacement diode, but I'll try out the multi-mode violet the next time I go for this color.

that fine bro,
If you still want to red 1w from me, I will probably provide 1 purple diode included in 1 12mm copper module
 
Joined
Sep 13, 2008
Messages
489
Points
43
I have a Sharp MM 405 diode set at 610mah/Nano out puting 900 mW with a G2 Lens and a 20mm copper module in survival c6 with special adapter for said module. It does eat up the 18650 though. It does burn well. Why push a diode so high to kill it, as death testing has already been done, and the safe levels are known. If you want to have more single mode power , then use a combiner. This is a great hobby, but it can get expensive real quick!
 




Top