Flaminpyro vs Jayrob SH-032 SS Build (image heavy)

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Pangolin emailed me this answer to my question about using their -833 for red laser diodes:

You can use an 833 for red. That is no problem. The protection is a bit less while the laser is lasing, but if your red is high power (250mW or higher) than there would likely not be much difference. - William, Pangolin

 

[Mohrenberg]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Maybe i missed it somewhere, what did you set your driver to?
I'm trying to decide what to go with, i'll be making my first, and personal 445 soon. I plan to use a machined host though. Might also make it my first ever direct diode host.

 

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Maybe i missed it somewhere, what did you set your driver to?
I'm trying to decide what to go with, i'll be making my first, and personal 445 soon. I plan to use a machined host though. Might also make it my first ever direct diode host.

i set both drivers with a 5x 1N5404 + 1 ohm 1%. the flexdrive was set to around 1.3A and the micro boost was set to 1.2A. those were the max i was able to get out of each with that driver and an AW 18650 2600mA

 

[DTR]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Nice review. Love this host. Great shots of setting the flexdrive. Using the wire dipped in flux to guide the solder is definitely the best way I have tried.

Jay did some nice work on a heat sink for my flexdrive that is maxed out in this host. I can get really good runtimes a little over 3 minutes.

 

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Nice review. Love this host. Great shots of setting the flexdrive. Using the wire dipped in flux to guide the solder is definitely the best way I have tried.

Jay did some nice work on a heat sink for my flexdrive that is maxed out in this host. I can get really good runtimes a little over 3 minutes.

Sweet. I am not sure about that heat sink arrangement on the driver. Once the sink gets up to temp there is no way for it to dissipate so I question it's usefulness. I mentioned to jayrob I had an idea for a driver sink that would dissipate the heat but he was uninterested in my idea. So I'll just save it for myself.

I did not sink the drivers. in the jayrob kit i have a micro boost set to about 1.2A and in the flaminpyro host a flex drive set to about 1.3A. both appear to have runtimes > 3 mins. so...

I will time these and measure as i mentioned.

 

[DTR]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

If I turn my flex down to around 1.0-1.2A overheating is not an issue without a heatsink on the driver. But if I turn it all the way up to 1.5A it will overheat in about 20 seconds and start flashing. With this heatsink I was able to extend that 20 seconds to 3 minutes.

Definitely matters.:beer:

 

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

If I turn my flex down to around 1.0-1.2A overheating is not an issue without a heatsink on the driver. But if I turn it all the way up to 1.5A it will overheat in about 20 seconds and start flashing. With this heatsink I was able to extend that 20 seconds to 3 minutes.

Definitely matters.:beer:

unless we were using the same load when we set our drivers, comparison of the settings is useless. i use using a dummy load with 5 1N5404's and a 1 ohm 1% resistor. what did you use?

 

[paulzimm]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Just curious, when it starts flashing will that damage the laser diode?

From what I understand, it is a "fail-safe" feature that is built into the MicroFlex driver. I wonder if there is a thermal resistor or something that Dr. Lava built into the driver. I can't wait to get mine in the mail! I will have the driver heat-sinked and cranked all the way up

 

[jayrob]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

If I turn my flex down to around 1.0-1.2A overheating is not an issue without a heatsink on the driver. But if I turn it all the way up to 1.5A it will overheat in about 20 seconds and start flashing. With this heatsink I was able to extend that 20 seconds to 3 minutes.

Definitely matters.

Yes it's good for a hand held...

Most people are not doing a 3 minute run time either. Especially at 1.5 Amps!

But what plexus meant, was that it could be set up better. And he is right. If the driver was heatsinked to the main heatsink or the pill (which is in effect, the entire host), then it could be cooled with the air...

It's not that I hadn't considered it, it's just that I did not think it was necessary because I wasn't planning on having really long duty cycles...

It's basically just the 5 pin chip on the V5 FlexDrive that needs to be heatsinked. I didn't think it would need the entire host as it's heatsink...

 

[DTR]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

unless we were using the same load when we set our drivers, comparison of the settings is useless. i use using a dummy load with 5 1N5404's and a 1 ohm 1% resistor. what did you use?

Sorry got off work and went out for a bit. I was using a pyroload from Flaminpyro till I blew it up the other day trying to set a driver to 1.8A. Not good. Red setting still works. Have another on the way.

Jay is also definitely right. Attaching the driver directly to the pill with some thermal adhesive is not a bad solution as well. And a three minute run is somewhat excessive @ 1.5A.:eg:

 

[qumefox]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Isn't a lasorb a bit redundant in a handheld? My understanding was that their function was to keep voltage transients from line driven psu's from getting to the diodes, and portable battery powered lasers didn't have to deal with things like people tripping over power cords, etc.

Has anyone ever had a diode in a portable die from ESD AFTER it was already assembled?

 

[hakzaw1]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

My Copper HS Flaminpyro SS Aurora host arrived today-:yh:-thanks FP!!!

-:drool:-really looks great. The EZ focus ring looks very well made too. I like the taper to the front. Thanks for presetting the driver.---hak:thanks:

 

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

Isn't a lasorb a bit redundant in a handheld? My understanding was that their function was to keep voltage transients from line driven psu's from getting to the diodes, and portable battery powered lasers didn't have to deal with things like people tripping over power cords, etc.

Has anyone ever had a diode in a portable die from ESD AFTER it was already assembled?

the purpose of a lasorb is solely to prevent damage to the diode from electrostatic discharge, not psu spikes. the lasorb is designed to very quickly shunt high voltages to prevent them from getting to the diode. check out their site, it explains it all.

in my builds (two so far i prefer to spend the extra $10 to afford this protection as laser diodes are very sensitive to ESD. ESD might not be a common problem but for $10 i think its worth using.

 

[qumefox]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

In my 'limited, admittedly' diode laser experience(gas lasers, which i've been involved with since the early 90's, tend to not care about having the crap shocked out of them after all, and it's actually a good way to start a stubborn argon. ) ESD issues really depend on location. For you, and other people up north. I can see it as a problem. Here in TN... there's ALWAYS humidity heh. I've messed with well over 30 diodes now.. mostly red from dvd burner scavenges, and using VERY minimal ESD practices, I have yet to kill one, at least not from ESD.. I've popped a few torturing them on a psu though heh.

Though I still think once the build is completed, there would be no danger of ESD unless you had bad connections, from which a lasorb may or may not save your diode.. depending on where the faulty connection is.

I still remember reading on PL that they were intended for projectors though, but like you said, they're your builds. So have at it. heh.

 

[jander6442]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

If anything once connected to the driver I'm sure that ESD damage to a diode as hardy as the 445 is proving to be is pure overkill... Like qumefox stated it's your build and a nice unit it is.

 

[plexus]

Re: Flaminpyro SS >1W 445nm Build (image heavy)

If anything once connected to the driver I'm sure that ESD damage to a diode as hardy as the 445 is proving to be is pure overkill... Like qumefox stated it's your build and a nice unit it is.

yos exactly. i have no problem spending $10 to add this extra level of protection considering how ESD sensitive laser diodes are. I have a friend who has killed a couple of them over the years in his experiments with them, due to ESD. if it was $50, then sure I'd probably not bother. the other nice thing about having a Lasorb soldered onto the leads of a laser diode (especially an expensive one) is that if you don't remove it the diode will be protected if the event you decide to swap it out and/or store it.