I'm figuring out how long I can safely run my diode with a solid 1" Diameter aluminum heat sink, and while I'm figuring all this out I'm looking for a good battery pack option that may be better than what I'm using.
My driver circuit is the typical LM317 based one, powering a 445nm (A-140) diode in a radio shack project box with about a half an amp (used a dummy load) allowed to the diode, with 9v into the LM317 from six (regular) AA batteries. Soon I will have a second diode running next to the first for a dual beam (or combined if I can).
In case it helps, when I tested the output (late) last night, the diode maxxed out at 589mW - as tested with a laserbee 2.5W.
The second test was a little lower... and I suspect that I could get the battery pack to hold it's current supplying ability and last longer if I switch to lithium ion batteries, in fact I'm not convinced the slightly used batteries I had were able to give me the highest reading. Unfortunately I'm at work and can't switch em out with fresh batteries..
regardless, I'm contemplating using 1.5v 2900mAh Li/ion AA batteries I've found on the net (just under $2 a battery) but I am not opposed to larger batteries or "better" (smaller?) batteries.
Does anyone else have advice as pertains to li/ion batteries? I keep reading about these diodes safely handling higher currents by being "pulsed" and I wonder if I shouldn't be learning more about building a pulsed driver circuit? Then maybe I wouldn't need so much battery and could run cooler...
I apologize for being all over the place, but I'm having the time of my life with this new hobby. I'm still learning, (no more burning diodes), searching these forums, and asking questions as my time permits and even donating to the board. I've gotten great advice so far and I hope more people help keep the board up by donating.
Thanks,
Cad602
My driver circuit is the typical LM317 based one, powering a 445nm (A-140) diode in a radio shack project box with about a half an amp (used a dummy load) allowed to the diode, with 9v into the LM317 from six (regular) AA batteries. Soon I will have a second diode running next to the first for a dual beam (or combined if I can).
In case it helps, when I tested the output (late) last night, the diode maxxed out at 589mW - as tested with a laserbee 2.5W.
The second test was a little lower... and I suspect that I could get the battery pack to hold it's current supplying ability and last longer if I switch to lithium ion batteries, in fact I'm not convinced the slightly used batteries I had were able to give me the highest reading. Unfortunately I'm at work and can't switch em out with fresh batteries..
regardless, I'm contemplating using 1.5v 2900mAh Li/ion AA batteries I've found on the net (just under $2 a battery) but I am not opposed to larger batteries or "better" (smaller?) batteries.
Does anyone else have advice as pertains to li/ion batteries? I keep reading about these diodes safely handling higher currents by being "pulsed" and I wonder if I shouldn't be learning more about building a pulsed driver circuit? Then maybe I wouldn't need so much battery and could run cooler...
I apologize for being all over the place, but I'm having the time of my life with this new hobby. I'm still learning, (no more burning diodes), searching these forums, and asking questions as my time permits and even donating to the board. I've gotten great advice so far and I hope more people help keep the board up by donating.
Thanks,
Cad602