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FrozenGate by Avery

Die4laser driver sounds excellent!

Seoul_lasers

Seoul_lasers

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After getting all the documentation on this driver I am convinced this is the best lab driver for just about any diode less than 2Ws

I really like the slow to full power aspect of this driver.

I just ordered 3 of these. :)
 





i only use die4laser drivers on my buillds.

awesome bit of kit.

also met robin a number of times and top bloke
 
I bought a used die4drive off Dave @ LSP the other day, I am interested to take a look at it :)
 
Good. I will be getting 3 of his lab drivers. I intend to use every part of the driver.
The slow on ( current ramp-up) is hugely important to me. I don't think instant on is really kind to our expensive diodes.
 
I had the same idea for a 445nm "labby", but was sad to find out it will Max out @ 1A
 
Actually Die4laser driver has a 445nm variant that can go to 1.319 A at max with heat sinking. That's a LOT of power! I don't ever plan on taking a 445nm diode to that current
1W is just fine.
 
On the documentation I have it says if you power it from 9v you can get 1.4A.
I wont be powering mine with that much current thats for sure.
 

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No actually with 9v you can't power it to that level. In the read me file it says maximum power is 500mA at 9v. According to Robin, between 7 - 7.8 volts can run a 445nm diode (either a A103 or a A104 series) to full power. 4.5v @ ~1.3A.

That's a good 1.2W of 445nm to play with. Nothing to be careless around that's for sure.
 
I've just look at the doc's again and the readme is saying something different ( As you said ) to the xls file. why would this be ???
 
I'm actually planning on testing a die4drive. I've had great results using drlava's flexmods which provide up to 6A of current, but I'm always interested in trying new things and I've heard very good reviews of the die4drive.
 
Well I got this straight from Robin:

Quote:

The driver is limited to 1A out due to the 1W rating of the 1 Ohm sense resistor.
Additionally when running 445nm blues the ideal supply voltage is 6V to 7.5V. Operation at 9V is possible as long as the current is kept below 600mA

End Quote.
 
Yes, right. but with a 1W resistor ~1.4W is possible for short runs.
He did indicate the replacing the sense resistor with a 2W rated one could be possible.
 
Ok, but read on, got more info from him on this;

Quote:
The 0.1 Ohm variant was initially done to support 808nm diodes and the driver was run from a 3.3V supply.
Using a 5V supply and a driver with R12 fitted as 0.1R might be ok for 2A through a 445 but there is very little voltage left across the output transistor.
Based on some testing on Photonlexicon the highest Vf for a 445nm diode at 1.53A was 4.99V
(see post 51 in 445nm diode info)
Another diode from an A140 was 4.45V at 1.57A.
At 2A you will have 200mV across the 0.1R
With a 5.0V supply - 0.2V = 4.8V ie less than the Vf at 1.53A
Also you really want a few hundred mV of margin left as Vds on the output MOSFET.

Short answer is it might work for one diode than not work for the next.
If you could push the supply up a little it would be possible for all diodes.

Having a 1R instead of 0.1R also helps with reducing transient susceptibility
End Quote
 
Easy to get. Look for modular PSUs. Who Kwang SMPS power supplies. 9.3 -12v SMPS 1.35A is about 10-14 Euros. 12.5A version is going to cost you about 40 Euros.
These are completely clean PSUs. They have much less ripple than a computer PSU has which is why the price. Currently I am running a driver off 9.3v from one of the 16.2W versions. They're pretty small.
 
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