I never know where to put these things . . . .
http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/test-3-6mm-diode-pioneer-203-205-drives-45258.html
I got a couple of the little (3.6mm) red diodes from the Pioneer BDR-203 and BDR-205 drives tested today.
First off, these things are a pain in the butt! The heat sink is covered in dark gray heat sink putty. Not only is it messy, you have to be careful not to get it onto the diode. These diodes are open can.
I purchases a couple of custom heat sink/modules from SightFX for them. Our current tools are NOT made for working with such small diodes. I ruined one getting it pressed into the head sink. I replaced it with my last one.
I tested them with a Rkcstr driver and a bench PSU set @ 7V. I didn't do a traditional 3, 5, or 10 slope. We have figured out that if there is a kink or knee, that even if we miss it in the initial test, the change in slope will let us know. Also my purpose was NOT to learn everything about the diode. I want to know if I can use them in my White Fusion build. I used a Virtual Village red lens. The pinout is the standard pinout for red burner diodes.
Here are the numbers:
mA -- mW
55 -- 0
60 -- 1
65 -- 1
70 -- 3
75 -- 8
80 -- 11
85 -- 18
90 -- 22
95 -- 27
100 -- 33
120 -- 54
140 -- 73
160 -- 91
180 -- 110
200 -- 123
260 -- 175
300 -- 202
350 -- 235
400 -- 260
427 -- 273
The numbers do not appear to expose a kink or knee so I did not go back and increase the resolution anywhere in the test. Maybe a graph will "look
different <shrug> The numbers show it being more efficient than a LCC or LOC diode. At 420mA LCC's and LOC's put out ~245mW. The lens difference (VV vs. Aixiz) does NOT account for the entire gain.
The test took about 30 minutes. The laser was turned off only once (to graph for missed knees). The heat sink didn't even rise to room temperature!
Also what I had heard proved correct. There is no "line" going through the spot/beam like the LCC's and LOC's.
It looks like I have found my red diode for the White Fusion builds.
Pro's:
High power
Runs cool
No line through the beam
Con's:
No tooling
Messy
Too small for my fat fingers
Open can
Peace,
dave