Pman
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- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
- Messages
- 4,441
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- 113
I don't understand why I've always had trouble figuring out how to make sure I am wiring my diodes/drivers properly considering I've built a ridiculous number of units.
Anyways let me start by asking a very specific question on a build that is holding me up at the moment.
I have a PLTB450B pressed and a B-Linear driver:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/new-blitz-linear-very-low-drop-out-1a-adjustable-linear-driver-79920.html
Driver already soldered in the standard 12mm module with the diode so it and ready to install in whatever host I choose.
The diode is case neutral and the driver is continuous positive. What are my options for wiring? If the driver is isolated from the host, can I only go case + OR case -?
If the module is not isolated from the host same question. When I read "continuous positive" what my mind says is you should switch on/off on the battery negative so positive is always connected to the driver and because the diode is case neutral it doesn't matter if the module is isolated (such as the heat-sink being anodized) or not.
I get really confused with all the different drivers out there mixing with case +, - and neutral diodes and it doesn't help me looking at the driver stuff in the drivers section.
In the past I've just built with components I'm familiar with that will work the way I am going to use them, isolated components or purchased already complete modules (or guessed and win or lose).
Now maybe I'm just a complete idiot but I doubt it because I asked several members the above and they did not know the answer either. You can have a diode +, - or case neutral and there's explanations about the different types of drivers but I don't see an explanation of the 2 of them together that is simple. Someone needs to make a flow chart or a chart with type of diode on the left and driver on the right with a checkmark or something showing how to combine them and then add in the host characteristic such as whether the case will conduct through to the module or the module is isolated (anodized or some other way).
For most new members and many that have been here for a lot of years how a driver works isn't important in comparison to "I just want to build a laser with a host, driver and diode first and get into that other stuff later or never".
You can't tell me there's not a very large number of failures and never ending questions from people concerning how to combine components properly. It would benefit most if it was greatly simplified. Frankly I don't think we have done a very good job making the basics basic on this and I've never been impressed with the search function.
It's great that there's so much in depth discussion on "everything" but theres no reason why a person has to know (if they are not interested) how their smart phone works when all they want to do is make a call and send some texts
I would like to see a list of all common diodes that are case +, - and neutral.
List of drivers in the same manner as in my example of "continuous positive" or whatever catagorized how they are connected in a circuit and not how they work. Seperate information would be boost, buck, linear as you would need to know how many batteries to use.
Any kind of "extra" information could be added with links.
I realize that some may think you should have to learn the inner workings of everything or you shouldn't be allowed to build one but I reject that outright. We all use a never ending list of things that could potentially hurt us. It comes down to the user not foolishly sticking the fork in the toaster. Safety is still safety and we try really hard to make people aware of that here.
If you can buy a complete module that only needs a battery across its leads then simplifying how to put one together is not an issue
Greatfull to all who have contributed to this forum whether it be simple or complex. It all matters.
EDIT: I forgot to add the link to the specific driver.
Anyways let me start by asking a very specific question on a build that is holding me up at the moment.
I have a PLTB450B pressed and a B-Linear driver:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/new-blitz-linear-very-low-drop-out-1a-adjustable-linear-driver-79920.html
Driver already soldered in the standard 12mm module with the diode so it and ready to install in whatever host I choose.
The diode is case neutral and the driver is continuous positive. What are my options for wiring? If the driver is isolated from the host, can I only go case + OR case -?
If the module is not isolated from the host same question. When I read "continuous positive" what my mind says is you should switch on/off on the battery negative so positive is always connected to the driver and because the diode is case neutral it doesn't matter if the module is isolated (such as the heat-sink being anodized) or not.
I get really confused with all the different drivers out there mixing with case +, - and neutral diodes and it doesn't help me looking at the driver stuff in the drivers section.
In the past I've just built with components I'm familiar with that will work the way I am going to use them, isolated components or purchased already complete modules (or guessed and win or lose).
Now maybe I'm just a complete idiot but I doubt it because I asked several members the above and they did not know the answer either. You can have a diode +, - or case neutral and there's explanations about the different types of drivers but I don't see an explanation of the 2 of them together that is simple. Someone needs to make a flow chart or a chart with type of diode on the left and driver on the right with a checkmark or something showing how to combine them and then add in the host characteristic such as whether the case will conduct through to the module or the module is isolated (anodized or some other way).
For most new members and many that have been here for a lot of years how a driver works isn't important in comparison to "I just want to build a laser with a host, driver and diode first and get into that other stuff later or never".
You can't tell me there's not a very large number of failures and never ending questions from people concerning how to combine components properly. It would benefit most if it was greatly simplified. Frankly I don't think we have done a very good job making the basics basic on this and I've never been impressed with the search function.
It's great that there's so much in depth discussion on "everything" but theres no reason why a person has to know (if they are not interested) how their smart phone works when all they want to do is make a call and send some texts
I would like to see a list of all common diodes that are case +, - and neutral.
List of drivers in the same manner as in my example of "continuous positive" or whatever catagorized how they are connected in a circuit and not how they work. Seperate information would be boost, buck, linear as you would need to know how many batteries to use.
Any kind of "extra" information could be added with links.
I realize that some may think you should have to learn the inner workings of everything or you shouldn't be allowed to build one but I reject that outright. We all use a never ending list of things that could potentially hurt us. It comes down to the user not foolishly sticking the fork in the toaster. Safety is still safety and we try really hard to make people aware of that here.
If you can buy a complete module that only needs a battery across its leads then simplifying how to put one together is not an issue
Greatfull to all who have contributed to this forum whether it be simple or complex. It all matters.
EDIT: I forgot to add the link to the specific driver.
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