First laser build problems

[Jstr]

What kind of lens are you using? Check that first. It could be cracked. Can you post a pic of the raw output (no lens)? If there is no diminished brightness, I wouldn't think its the diode.

 

[lpsouth1978]

What kind of lens are you using? Check that first. It could be cracked. Can you post a pic of the raw output (no lens)? If there is no diminished brightness, I wouldn't think its the diode.

I am using a three element glass lens from DTR. I think it is the diode. Here is a raw output shot (no lens).

 

[Jstr]

Yeah... Bad news. That's not what it should look like at all. I would say the diode is the problem. Could it have overheated? I don't know at this point, never seen this before. Hopefully someone else can help, sorry.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Yeah... Bad news. That's not what it should look like at all. I would say the diode is the problem. Could it have overheated? I don't know at this point, never seen this before. Hopefully someone else can help, sorry.

That really sucks. I don't see how it could have overheated, I only ran it for a few seconds at a time. It looks like I am done building lasers for a while. I just can't afford to keep dropping money on diodes. I've already spent almost $200 just on diodes. At this point it has cost me like $5 a second to run my laser.

 

[RYDorDIE278]

That really sucks. I don't see how it could have overheated, I only ran it for a few seconds at a time. It looks like I am done building lasers for a while. I just can't afford to keep dropping money on diodes. I've already spent almost $200 just on diodes. At this point it has cost me like $5 a second to run my laser.

Hang In there! do you have another lens to try? were you burning anything close by before it went funny?
You could try sell or swap your other driver and pill etc for someone to install a new diode,
Have a Private convo with DTR if you can get a hold of him:shhh:, he could come up with a cheap solution:beer:

 

[lpsouth1978]

Hang In there! do you have another lens to try? were you burning anything close by before it went funny?
You could try sell or swap your other driver and pill etc for someone to install a new diode,
Have a Private convo with DTR if you can get a hold of him:shhh:, he could come up with a cheap solution:beer:

I have three lenses and they all look the same. I haven't burnt anything close up at all. I am more impressed by the burning from a distance. The only thing I burned was a match from about 15 feet away. The laser was fine when I turned it off, but about 5 minutes later when I turned it back on it was all messed up.

I am quite discouraged right now and can't afford to do anything about it.

 

[DTR]

My best guess is something got burnt on the diode window which is causing the distortion of the output. Stop running it as it can only make it worse from either burning the window permanently if it has not already and back reflection from the energy that now can't escape could cause damage to the diode. Shoot it over to me and I will take a look to see what I can do for you.:beer:

 

[lpsouth1978]

My best guess is something got burnt on the diode window which is causing the distortion of the output. Stop running it as it can only make it worse from either burning the window permanently if it has not already and back reflection from the energy that now can't escape could cause damage to the diode. Shoot it over to me and I will take a look to see what I can do for you.:beer:

Thanks DTR, PM me your address and I will send it out to you.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Alright, I got the laser back from DTR today. I immediately set to re-assembling it and soldering everything in place. I put freshly charged batteries in (being VERY careful not to reverse them), pushed the on button and........

NOTHING.

The laser does not work at all!! I have taken it all apart, ensured that the solder points were good on everything, I can find nothing wrong with it. The only thing I notice is that the diode I got back from DTR does not have a diode window of any sort on it. It seems to be just a bare diode in the module with an x-drive driver soldered to it. Here is a shot of the diode without a lens on the laser. It is not a great shot, but it's the best I could get.

 

[DTR]

Yes the can had to be removed as your diode window had a hole burned in it but the module did work. I would attempt to power the module directly with a single 18650 via the leads from the module to rule out anything in the host or contact board. It should come on with a few hundred mW with a single 18650.:beer:

Also I would put the lens back in and don't remove it in the future. As there is no longer a can on the diode you expose the dye to possible contaminates every time you take the lens out and this time there is no window.:beer:

 

[lpsouth1978]

Yes the can had to be removed as your diode window had a hole burned in it but the module did work. I would attempt to power the module directly with a single 18650 via the leads from the module to rule out anything in the host or contact board. It should come on with a few hundred mW with a single 18650.:beer:

Also I would put the lens back in and don't remove it in the future. As there is no longer a can on the diode you expose the dye to possible contaminates every time you take the lens out and this time there is no window.:beer:

Thanks Jordan, I went ahead and did as you said and tested the diode and it does indeed work. I then did a closer inspection of everything and noticed that a small part of the battery board was bare (like the metal contact point was worn off). To fix it I simply soldered a small amount of solder on the center of the board. Now everything works perfectly. Here is a picture of my repair.

P.S. - I will be sure to leave the lens on the laser indefinitely. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Pman]

Glad this all worked out. DTR wouldn't have sent it back without making sure it worked fine.
I am curious as to how much of aN increase in output there is with the window removed. Probabley something like 1% or less would be my guess as you sure wouldn't want it reflecting back on itself.