Battery type / current draw in Nova X series?

[nikokapo]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

read the faqs

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

FML: Do you perhaps have a black floppy laying around?

What is the diameter of your beam at the apperture?

No, not really.
The diameter is 1.1 - 1.2mm at apperture. Kinda hard to measure without the right tools.
You know, I've done the mRad measurement myself with help from Nova.

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

read the faqs

I know it suggests eneloops, that was not the question. I wanted to know about the currents on various batteries. Besides, i'm pretty sure the batteries i am using currently are just as good.

The reason i am interested in the current is, because CNI told me these lasers were not regulated in any way. But every time i power it on, i get 650mA!

In fact i just played outside in the dark for half an hour, left the laser alone for another half, measured the power and got 172mW again!
Of course i immediatelly measured the current again, and guess what, it's 650mA.


So what i don't understand is, how is this possible without regulation?!? The DX200 would vary up to almost 200mA between Alkalines and Ni-MHs, this one just doesn't care what i feed it. The only way to get a really low reading is to feed it empty batteries. Then i get 450mA and dropping.

This is a behaviour i would expect from a regulated laser, so i'm confused.

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

You know, I've done the mRad measurement myself with help from Nova.

Well, then tell me. What is your divergence? I didn't ask about it, cos i thought just the diameter at the apperture would be easier.

But 1.2mm sounds like what it should be. The CNI datasheet says ~1.5mm, so this is good. But i would actually prefer a slightly thicker beam, if the divergence could be lower.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

Slow down IgorT. ;D I posted that earlier: 1.28mRad.

And about the eneloops, let me quote form Novalasers warranty:

"This unit is guaranteed to operate within specifications for ninety (90) days from date listed in this form, provided that: the unit was not operated from any power source other than two (2) type "AAA" 1.5V alkaline batteries."

Hum... I don't know what to do.

And about the Duracells, the started to fail after only 5-7 minutes. >crap!<

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

bWow, that is a good divergence! I wish mine was like that..
Sorry, didn't notice you posted it already.

But i don't think you have anything to worry about if you use Ni-MHs. They have a slightly lower voltage, but remain stable for much longer than alkalines. In any case i get the same current with them, and it doesn't drop even after lots of use.


I think that warranty disclaimer is more about using lithiums, that have 1.8V, and could perhaps overdrive the pump. I don't think you would have anything to worry about from using Ni-MHs. The laser could actually keep up the power for longer.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

What? You're surprised? It's suppose to be <1.2mRad.
There is no comparison between my x125 and Blu-ray when it comes to mRad. Blu-ray kicks a$$!
What's your divergence/battery fabricator?

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

I think my divergence is 1.5 or even 1.6mRad.. It's almost as bad as the first DX200 i had.. This part of it really pisses me off. I think the collimator could be adjusted, but i would have to break the glue bond holding it in place, and probably lose the warranty..

The CNI datasheet says Divergence <1.5mRad.. Didn't know the ones from Nova were better. Shipping this thing back to China would cost a lot of money. And in the end i would probably have to go through all the importing fuss again.


Oh, and i know why i overlooked your post where you mentioned it for the first time. Three of us were posting at almost the same time, so i got thrown to the second page and didn't even notice the last two on the first one untill now.


BTW: What kind of Duracells were you using, that were crap? I found the M3s are actually worse, than just the regular Duracell Plus. And i can actually recharge these.. Not for long tho. It was just an experiment to see what 1.8V would do.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

I use the Duracell M3 as well, just realised that lol. I have to test with the ultra soon, Nova recommend that.
Now, what fabricator and model do you use, the Ni-MHs?

Oh, and i know why i overlooked your post where you mentioned it for the first time. Three of us were posting at almost the same time, so i got thrown to the second page and didn't even notice the last two on the first one untill now.

No problem.
Really sorry about the divergence. :'(

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

Really sorry about the divergence. :'(

Yeah, still not sure what i should do about that.
I'll talk to the CNI sales rep about it on monday... Thank you for your condolences.  :-/

I use the Duracell M3 as well, just realised that lol. I have to test with the ultra soon, Nova recommend that.

I'm not sure about Duracell Ultra, what i tested were just regular Duracell Plus. They are cheaper, but actually work better, than the more expensive Duracells.
I noticed this first in a helicopter remote, where the M3s would go empty much faster, than the cheaper regular Duracell Plus.

Now, what fabricator and model do you use, the Ni-MHs?

Varta and Duracell, both 1000mAh Ni-MHs.

The Duracells are called "Supreme", and i don't remember if the Varta has any special name. My laser just peaked at 174mW on the Duracells, but i think the Vartas are slightly better. They also cost more. I won't know for sure, untill i connect them from the outside and measure how the current changes over time. If it is going to at all, that is.


Here's a pic for you:

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

From your divergence and beam diameter at the apperture, i just calculated the spot size to be ~8.96mm at 20 feet.

Is this correct? In that case, mine could just have a similiar divergence as yours. I thought i measured 10mm at 20 feet, but i wasn't very exact. Need to repeat it, but maybe it's not as bad as i initially thought.


It still annoys me, that the $26 KD50 (EDWINA) laser actually has a better divergence, than an expensive laser from CNI.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

Hmm, I'm not a familiar with those batteries, but I will keep an eye out for them, thanks.
I hope that you get the laser fixed btw. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

Hmm, I'm not a familiar with those batteries, but I will keep an eye out for them, thanks.

I am from Slovenia, EU, and Varta batteries are very common here. It seems to be a Swiss company, but their web page also says they sell them in the US.

I will let you know, how the Duracell Ni-MHs compare once i test them, in case you can not find any others. In the end, you can still order Eneloops from DX or KD.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

Awesome work [smiley=thumbup.gif]
Hey, I bet that the time is very late in Slovenia right about now. ;D

 

[electron]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

If you own Nova Lasers X series, i was wondering what kind of batteries you recommend for the Nova X150 laser.

Also, did anyone measure the current consumption in these lasers (or X100 / X125)? Are they regulated or does the current start high and slowly drop with the battery voltage?

And another thing.. How long is it safe to leave the laser on? I think i read 100 seconds on and then leaving it to cool down. Is this correct? Does it get hot at the top?



Thanks!

I have the X-175, I'm using Duracells and get 200mw average out of it.

 

[IgorT]

Re: What batteries do you use in your Nova X150?

I have the X-175, I'm using Duracells and get 200mw average out of it.

Omg, that's sick... I envy you.

Do you have a meter? How long does it stay above 200mW? Do you also know what the lowest power it drops to is?