About heatsinking the driver

[DesertWolf]

Thanks, DesertWolf. That is very informative. In determining the temp, would you say that the IC only gets a little bit warm (i.e. so that it could in fact left like that, without heatsink), or actually rather hot (heatsinking required).

Regards,

I didn't let it run too long, just long enough to tell which chip got warm. It can't hurt to have heat sink though.

 

[brunes01]

Have had the same issues about heatsinking the driver (2,1 A X-Drive)

Just watch this video to see how the heat protection of lazereers X-Drives work!

Heat Protection - YouTube


So the driver won`t be damaged if not heatsinked! Your benefit will only be a longer duty cycle if needed!



Greetings brunes01

 

[svdr]

Thanks, brunes01

 

[brunes01]

Hi!

I`m a total newbie myself with a similar project!
I will use a 445 nm 9mm diode and a 2,1 A X-Drive (from DTR) in a Stainless Steel Host with an extended and tapered copper heatsink from Survivallasers.

I was told by DTR and Lazereer with that setup I will get a maximum running time of 60 seconds for the sake of the diode, and it that time the driver will not even come near it`s point were it will shut off! So I don`t need to extra heatsink it at all!

So I think with short duty cycles like you described it, you also will be safe if you don`t extra heatsink the driver!

Greets brunes01

 

[Zakkusus]

Which thermal paste/epoxy are you guys specifically for these drivers. Through researching the forums I have found that the Ceramique 2 and Arctic Alumina have no electrical conductivity. I just can't figure out which one is better or if it is simply a preference.
After heatsinking it, it probably wouldn't be recommended to wrap it in electrical tape would it?

 

[AnthoT]

Which thermal paste/epoxy are you guys specifically for these drivers. Through researching the forums I have found that the Ceramique 2 and Arctic Alumina have no electrical conductivity. I just can't figure out which one is better or if it is simply a preference.
After heatsinking it, it probably wouldn't be recommended to wrap it in electrical tape would it?

Either is fine. Btw make sure it's thermal glue not the CPU paste kind, that is good between diode - module though but not nescessary. If not the heatsink you add to the driver will just fall off. :beer:

 

[Zakkusus]

Thank you :beer:, I ended up purchasing the Ceramique 2 and Arctic Alumina Epoxy. I think I will be set for quite some time. I have seen a few members smother the area around it with the epoxy too, does that just help prevent more accidental shorts?

 

[AnthoT]

Thank you :beer:, I ended up purchasing the Ceramique 2 and Arctic Alumina Epoxy. I think I will be set for quite some time. I have seen a few members smother the area around it with the epoxy too, does that just help prevent more accidental shorts?

It's np
And depends on the driver any with an IC and resistor(s) close doesn't hurt to heatsink the resistors as they too generate heat under higher current but yeah it doesn't hurt to put it everywhere. Better be sure of no shorts then just short it out and kill the driver and possibly diode too but usually the IC is elevated above ( usually it's very possible it's not ) and then you have nothing to worry about.