FS: Key Chain CR2 Build Kit! - SCHWEET!

[cracked]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

OK, got some air and went back in to double check things.

With 185mA from a MicroDrive powered by a 9V bench supply, the diode is a happy diode (in other words, it's not toast).

With 185mA from a FlexDrive powered by a 3V CR2, it returns to pseudo-toast mode.

I'm confused and open to suggestions.

 

[daguin]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

OK, got some air and went back in to double check things.
With 185mA from a MicroDrive powered by a 9V bench supply, the diode is a happy diode (in other words, it's not toast).
With 185mA from a FlexDrive powered by a 3V CR2, it returns to pseudo-toast mode.
I'm confused and open to suggestions.

Do you have any 3.6V CR2's around? It would be good to see if the flexdrive needs more voltage to run the diode. Do you have 4V or 5V PSU (or battery combination) you can run the flexdrive with? Is your bench supply adjustable?

That will tell us if you damaged the flexdrive in some way or if the 3V primary battery just doesn't have the needed "ohmph" to get the job done.

Peace,
dave

**EDIT** Turn the flexdrive down if you increase the voltage. If it is out of regulation because it is not gettting enough current from the battery, it may actually be adjusted higher than 185mA

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

OK, got some air and went back in to double check things.

With 185mA from a MicroDrive powered by a 9V bench supply, the diode is a happy diode (in other words, it's not toast).

With 185mA from a FlexDrive powered by a 3V CR2, it returns to pseudo-toast mode.

I'm confused and open to suggestions.

And also you can check to make sure that none of the metal parts and components or contact points on the driver are making any contact with the heatsink/driver cavity...

Notice that I have a thin Scotch Tape 'wrap' around the driver to make sure that nothing touches: (Dave used black electrical tape instead of Scotch tape)

This picture is also important to study:

 

[daguin]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

And also you can check to make sure that none of the metal parts and components or contact points on the driver are making any contact with the heatsink/driver cavity...

Notice that I have a thin Scotch Tape 'wrap' around the dirver to make sure that nothing toughes: (Dave used black electrical tape instead of Scotch tape)

HEY! It was green and I wrapped the flexdrive with it AND placed a thin insulating layer in the heat sink/pill.

I assumed that he was testing the flexdrive/diode OUTSIDE the host.

Folks, ALWAYS test the set-up with the finished power source. I have seen some strange things (that shouldn't happen,) happen. If it works outside the host/heat sink, you now have a focus from which to begin tracking down the problem.

If you just shove it all together and then find out it has a problem, you have to go back to the beginning to track the problem down.

Double check at every step

Peace,
dave

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Oh!... sorry. (green not black)

Good suggestions Dave...

This is a build that is much smaller than most of us are used to, so it's just a matter of taking your time on it.

It's really not that bad if you take your time with it.

A necessary item, is fine flexible wire. The best I have found, is in a mouse cord...

 

[cracked]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

I opted for an electrical tape "liner" inside the heat sink instead of wrapping the driver in tape. I tried and tried (and tried) to get the driver into a nice little heat shrinked package but it just wouldn't fit.

Instead of using the positive contact on the "driver" side of the host PCB, I insulated that side of the board, ran a wire through it and soldered right to the + battery contact. I cut the trace that runs positive battery to the "driver" side of the board.


So....it looks like my craptastic power supply has a super low current limit below 4.5V. If I set it to 4.5V, the FlexDrive does fine.

The one and only CR2 I have at the moment is what Jay sent (3V TIANQIU).

I haven't really found anyone saying the FlexDrive wants 3.6V CR2s but it seems like that might be the problem here. I'll see what batteries I can find in town later today....

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

The battery is the one that came with the light, so it may not be in the best condition...

Otherwise, something may be wrong with the driver connections...

That is, there is something that is shorting, or not connected properly. Or possibly, damage to the driver.

The FlexDrive will power a blu-ray diode even with less than 3 volts supply...

 

[cracked]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Mission accomplished!

Jay, that CR2 the host came with measured over 3V with no load but just couldn't drive this diode. I picked up a couple Energizer primaries today and it fired right up (and I've ordered some 3.6V rechargables).

I hope to see a new Laserbee at my door any day now and I'll post back with a (hopefully much higher) mW figure. I suspect my LaserCheck just doesn't work so well at 405nm for some reason.

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Good news!

Wow... gnarly beam shot man. :gj:

 

[daguin]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Mission accomplished!

Jay, that CR2 the host came with measured over 3V with no load but just couldn't drive this diode. I picked up a couple Energizer primaries today and it fired right up (and I've ordered some 3.6V rechargables).

I hope to see a new Laserbee at my door any day now and I'll post back with a (hopefully much higher) mW figure. I suspect my LaserCheck just doesn't work so well at 405nm for some reason.

I have seen this problem more than once now. That's why I asked about it. I just fixed that pocket mini from the UK that you were helping the gentleman with.

When I first tested it, I used a standard primary. It was only putting out 170mW WITH the low loss lens. I thought that was a bit strange because I know what it was before everything got twisted off.

I replaced the battery with a fully charged RCR123 and the power went up to 240mW. Same diode, same flexdrive, no adjustment, 170mW to 240mW with a new battery.

Go figure?

Peace,
dave

 

[cracked]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

I have seen this problem more than once now. That's why I asked about it. I just fixed that pocket mini from the UK that you were helping the gentleman with.

When I first tested it, I used a standard primary. It was only putting out 170mW WITH the low loss lens. I thought that was a bit strange because I know what it was before everything got twisted off.

I replaced the battery with a fully charged RCR123 and the power went up to 240mW. Same diode, same flexdrive, no adjustment, 170mW to 240mW with a new battery.

Go figure?

Peace,
dave

Hmm...maybe setting/checking your driver current with the indended battery would be the best way to make sense of this?

I initially checked my diode at 185mA with a beefy power supply and Micro-Drive but the LaserCheck still measured less than expected.

I'll keep your observations in mind once I get the 3.6V's and Laserbee...

(Currently only 110mW according to my LaserCheck.)

 

[cracked]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Some pics from this evening with the new Key Chain CR2. :yh:

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Hmm...maybe setting/checking your driver current with the indended battery would be the best way to make sense of this?

I initially checked my diode at 185mA with a beefy power supply and Micro-Drive but the LaserCheck still measured less than expected.

I'll keep your observations in mind once I get the 3.6V's and Laserbee...

(Currently only 110mW according to my LaserCheck.)

Yes, when ever building, always use a brand new, or fully charged battery (for setting current) of the same that your host will be using just as a good practice...

About the battery that comes with this Key Chain CR2 host, don't trust that it is 'like new'. I have no idea how long they have been sitting. But they came with the lights, so I send them with the lights. (and the nylon pouch too)

Nice pictures!

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

yobresal, I sent your Key Chain CR2 kit with EzFocus adapter and 405-G-1 glass lens mod today. (Monday)

Hope that 8X build goes well!

Post pictures!

 

[yobresal]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Thanks jayrob! I have loved the look of this host since you introduced it. Hopefully I cam get 400mW out of it.

 

[jayrob]

Re: FS: Key Chain CR2 Kit! - SCHWEET!

Please post back and share your Key Chain CR2 build in this thread!