803T Max and nominal current?

[Jules]

What is the max and nominal current that you run to the 803T? I have burnt one (although I am not sure it was due to over current lol)

Before I fire up my next one I want to be sure I am in the "safe zone" I am looking at just the Aixiz module as the only heatsink to be conservative

Any one running one continuosly?

Thanks!

Jules

 

[climbak]

I think the consensus so far is that 90mA is a safe current and gives a good amount of power. I don't think anyone has pushed one to the max current yet. I think I heard of one being accidentally pushed to 150+mA but don't take my word for it. I currently have a long term test diode running. It was turned on on May 5th and has been running at 90mA the entire time except for a couple hour break to move it. We turned it up to 100mA on tuesday and will be turning it up another 10mA every few days till it dies most likely.

 

[rkcstr]

I've run mine at about 90-100mA for over 5 min. straight and the module gets warm (I'd guess about skin temp), but that's about it. I know climbak has tested his for quite a while at 100mA.  You may want to read through the huge thread about "high power HD-DVD diodes", there's lots of info in there.

EDIT: ...and he beat me to it, LOL

 

[heruursciences]

FWIW i tested one to to destruction for S&G's it made about 228mW!!!! at about 211mA at 25 deg C and then poof!

 

[Jules]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I'm sticking with 90ma!
/me

 

[apex007]

I'm up to 125ma now and it's been running fine so far. The difference between 90ma and 125ma is pretty dramatic.

 

[Jules]

Are you using any kind of heat sinking?

 

[apex007]

Just the aixis housing the diode is pressed into.

 

[john_lawson]

i've had one at 86 fail so far others at 78-86-100 still working fine  ;D

 

[wicked1]

I had one fail at 80... got a yellow artifact, became dim, then finally went out completely.
It was my first BR build, and not sure of what else could have cause it.. But, it worked fine earlier in the day. Then later I just picked it up, turned it on, and that happened over the course of a few min of on/off use.

I've got one now that has been running at 101ma for a couple of weeks.

 

[Kenom]

I don't know what current mine is running at, since I don't know how to test for current once it's inside the monster and cooking, but mine is set at about 107mw.  I just tweaked the lava drive until I reached 100mw (or close) and stopped.  It's been running pretty consistently for upwards of 10 minute runtimes with no issues and 2 weeks since I built it.  It's in a kryton barrel.

Now that I've seen heruursciences's S&G's run to over 200mw I might push it a little more!!!

 

[flogged]

I'm keeping mine below 90mA.. about 85mA for my (first) 803T. Climbak did a lifetime test driving one @90mA, and it lasted weeks w/out dying. Im using the Meredith housing + heatsink, and another advantage of 85mA is I can leave mine on indefinitely - no duty cycle. The housing gets slightly warm, that's it.

I noticed three little trim pots on the side of the 803T sled - for CD, HD & DVD. It's a pity there's not an easy method to measure the current these things use while in the drive. It would be a good way to get an idea what the diodes are good for, at least if you want them to live long.

Seeing as many people are pushing these > 100mA, I may do so for my next 803T build. However I'm keeping my first under 90mA. It's still quite bright, prolly over 60mW.

 

[Switch]

FWIW i tested one to to destruction for S&G's it made about 228mW!!!!   at about 211mA at 25 deg C and then poof!

WOW! I wonder how high the 6x would go. :