Diagnostic Tests on the Boostdrive v1

[Isoleucine]

Hi all

I was wondering if there are any diagnostic tests that can be performed on the boostdrive v1 by drlava. I bought one a while ago and after mounting it, I removed it by picking off the glue on the driver board. After a few tedious hours, I removed most of the thermal paste and glue, and I ended up chipping the inductor casing. In my knowledge of inductors, some contain ferrite cores, and I fear if it may have damaged the inductor's capability to function in boosting the proper voltage. Plus, while picking the glue and paste off, I may have clipped or disconnected some solder connections, so...

I ask the question, is there any way to run some diagnostic tests for functionality, without hooking up the driver to the diode? This is something I don't want to do, because the possibly damaged driver could over-run the diode at voltages higher or at unreasonable currents.

Also, right now I'm in an unreasonable position to post pictures, but I'll include them in the OP a few days later, when I can get access to my SD card.

Thanks in advance,

Iso

 

[rocket689]

You can test for current output by attaching the driver to a test load and DMM.

 

[Johnyz]

Damaging just the casing should not damage the working of the inductor. I snapped one inductor casing myself (almost in half...) when designing my boost drivers, and it worked fine.

 

[Blord]

That is why testloads are invented, to test the driver for the output.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs-selectable-test-load-up-3a-assembled-diy-kit-63450.html

 

[lasersbee]

Damaging just the casing should not damage the working of the inductor. I snapped one inductor casing myself (almost in half...) when designing my boost drivers, and it worked fine.

The Inductor core material is a huge part of the correct
functioning of the Inductor. Breaking off pieces of the Inductor
may still result in it working but more than likely not up to the
design specs or it's full intended use in a circuit.


Jerry

 

[Johnyz]

Agreed. It worked fine for me in my designs, but I don't have a way to test inductors other than putting it in a driver, so I can't really guarantee it will work the same under all conditions.

 

[Isoleucine]

Testload... thats what I thought. Although theres still some thermal paste on the drive itself, that shouldn't be much of a problem. Thanks for the fast help guys.

Is there any other way besides using a test load?

 

[rocket689]

Depending on what current and voltage you are running, a cheap Cree LED emitter could be attached.

 

[Blord]

Don't you have some diodes ? You can make the poorman version testload.
The testload is very handy if you building a laser.