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

Aixiz 50mW ( AT 164mW !!!! )

Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
Hey Adam....

lucky you have an LPM to measure and adjust it with....:whistle:;)

Jerry
 





Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
863
Points
18
Hee Hee - Thanks to the INCREDIBLE "Laserbee I LPM" I recently purchased, I was able to ascertain that these are really nice modules, 100mW+ no problem...

Now I just need to figure if I'm going to stick with the 4 I got today, or if I REALLY need 4 more... Ahh Hell, back to Ebay I go!

Detailed review (hopefully) tomorrow RE modulation, etc - Nice little modules, Thanks Diachi!
 
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
3,181
Points
48
crap i was going to buy a hid flashlight but not now gotta get one of these now thanks adam
 
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
863
Points
18
SO... I'm staring at these labbies this morning thinking "Man, I need to find some sockets to fit the AC in pins for these" and THAT lasted about 30 seconds, next thing you know it's "sacrifice the extension cord ,solder, solder solder" (Not EXACTLY that bad, but close :) and the first fire of Labbie #1!

As shipped, the labbie fired consistantly to 80mW and held solid as a rock through 3 tests (up to 3 minutes each) so I decided to run a few "mean" tests to see what we could do. In my excitement, I forgot to log the first couple of tests, but the module climed smoothly to 118mW without a hitch (and I had already told myself I wouldn't run them over 100 for safety's sake - yeah RIGHT!) however, when shut down and restarted at this power, the module "strobed" instead of a nice steady beam until I turned the pot back...

Anyone want to chime in a more professional explaination?

Anyhow, I started to experiment with settings, and found that a setting of about 105mW gave me consistant operation (whew - nothing damaged) so I turned it back a bit and refired it, right back on 80mW, nice and comfortable, started the LB1 and slowly turned it back up to just over 100 (see attached graph), as of right now the laser is firing perfectly and running right around 103-104 without a hitch!

A few checks showed that the driver board definitely runs hotter at the higher settings, so I'm going to try and get this mounted in my fan-cooled enclosure later today and see if that gives it a bit more stability at higher temps, I'm also going to be messing with the modulation once it's in the box so I'll post more details then!

Aixis_Labbie_01.jpg


And a couple of pics to show the mounting layout, etc:

Aixis_Labbie_01_pics.jpg
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2008
Messages
5,725
Points
0
The reason the units "strobe" is due to two factors. The first is the fact that the conversion efficiency curve for a given KTP crystal is nonlinear. As you alter the pump power, the efficiency will also change, only not linearly (not a smooth sweep like the current change as you turn the pot). Instead it may fluctuate rapidly until you find a stable spot.

The second factor is the fact that those driver boards are decent but not great. The pot may be a little noisy.

If you combine these two factors you end up with a nice (sort of) strobe effect as you turn the pot.

You may believe that you need active cooling on that MOSFET on the driver board. It does run hot, but that component is rated to 150C, and I can guarantee you that as hot as it is, it is nowhere near that hot. A fan is a good idea, but not necessary.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
863
Points
18
Thanks, EF - the pots are REALLY touchy, so you may be right on both points... I'll take some time and play once I get the enclosure and mounts all set up, my goal is to find a sweet spot right around 100mW for these.
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2007
Messages
3,443
Points
63
I got a couple of these from Axixz, one is doing 135 mW, (it's mentioned in my sig.), the other has a tough time getting over 80 mW, I would like to find an improved driver as well. But for the $ these are hard to beat!
 

diachi

0
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
9,700
Points
113
@ remux : It would be either 500mW or 1W. I'd go with 500mW C-mount though.

Thanks for adding that review BCM!
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2008
Messages
5,725
Points
0
They are 500mW c-mounts. I've replaced one with a 1W FAC corrected c-mount and it works great with a fan blowing on it. Gotta have active cooling of some sort, though. You could even mount the entire laser head on a TEC. I'm getting about 150-200mW out depending on how it feels when I take the measurement.
 

diachi

0
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
9,700
Points
113
that's very nice ! You should mess about with the temperature and see where you get the most power at.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
709
Points
0
Be careful if you're gonna be using a C-mount with an FAC lens; I've burned up several crystal sets in the past...
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2008
Messages
5,725
Points
0
^The original diode was FAC corrected, so I replaced it with the same. Also I'm running the pump at about 750mW (give or take) for added lifetime. I know that I could pretty easily ruin the crystals at that power, but with a $65 laser I'm not too worried.. Thanks for the warning, though.
 

HIMNL9

0
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
5,318
Points
0
Just a tip for those that want to use a connector, instead solder the wires on the board (power supply).

The connector looks similar to an AMP one ..... i can't grant you that you can find it in any PSU, but lots of the old types PC power supply had this exact connector inside, for the main power section ..... so, if you can find some old dead pc power supply to mangle, and if you're lucky ..... :)
 




Top