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Help on first PHR build.

Camin

Camin

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Feb 20, 2012
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I finished my PHR build, but I can't seem to get it to light a match, Its driven at 130ma and even when I focus it to a tiny dot with a 405-G-1 lens it doesnt light it. I can feel a bit a heat on the back of my hand, but not that much. Any advice on how I burn this match? I am afraid I hurt my diode, for when I first turned it on, It went out for a second then came back on. Any way of telling how much mW it was?

-Cam
 





You should drive them at 120mA max. Try dropping the current to around 100mA and try again. If you are lucky it will go back to normal power and light a match. :D
of not then the diode is ruined now :(

-Anthony
 
If you pump too much current in to a diode it actually dims and loses output power. Having it on for too long once it starts to dim can irreversibly damage the diode. Indeed, back down the current to no more than 120mA and try again, if it still won't burn when focused properly you might have really damaged it a lot. Good thing these diodes are only $10.

Edit: saw repost
Yes, a surge/spike from a charged capacitor could have damaged the diode a bit, resulting in lowered output, but 130mA is still too much.
 
Last edited:
Ya not shorting the leads could have easily killed it as well. You'll likely need another diode :(
This time short the leads and NO MORE then 120mA. ;)

-Anthony
 
Well I have tried again, I put it down to 110mA and shorted the leads, and its still the same.

I am still happy though because this is my very first build, and I set my expectations low. And it still makes a sweet violet pointer too!

On the other hand, I am only out 10$, and in a few days I will get another and hope I make it work with that one.

Its my very first build, so what can you expect?

Thanks for the advice
-Cam

EDIT: One other question, Why is my laser making an extra dot that is no where near as bright, I can post pics of the un-collaminated light if you want
 
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Ya I'm sure it's still nice. Post pics of your new one once you get it I'd love to see it :)

-Anthony
 
Yep I will in a while, Its acctually just batteries, wires and module right now, but in a few days I am going to start making my own host on the lathe! When I am finished with that I will make a post for sure, as I have only seen one other wooden host :D
 
Wow I've never seen a wooden host can't wait to see it!

-Anthony
 
Camin said:
EDIT: One other question, Why is my laser making an extra dot that is no where near as bright, I can post pics of the un-collaminated light if you want
Click to expand...

Its showing the degradation. I cant find the image now, but some spots look like a smiling face.

Always short the driver out regardless if its been hooked to a power source or not.
 
Is it a PHR 803, or an 805? It was my understanding that the 805 could take a little more current, around the 140 mA range?
 
PHR can take 130mA No Problem even 150mA no problem However they will not last long there.

Even at 120mA your looking at ~ 1 year of light use and a couple months if you use it only 1 minute a day.

PHR-803T are best to run at 90mA to a Max of 100ma.

If your diode still feels warm to the beam of your hand its possible has degraded, You not giving it enough battery supply or you dont know what to expect from a ~90mW-100mW 405nm laser and possible do not have anything to compare it too. With a 405-G-1 lens you should be getting If it is running at 130mA ~150mW. It should light a match no problem.

The Second dot most likely is what TJ said is that your diode is damaged But i think its from another factor other then running it at 130mA. Possible to much heat when soldering to the diode.

The second dot can also appear if the diode is NOT pressed in evenly. This will make a reflection IIRC that will cause a second dot.

What driver are you using.?
What batteries or Battery are you using.
How did you set the currant on your driver.? Did you use a testload.?

Pictures of you setup will help.

Your diode possible can still be good. If you want to give it a shot to check it out.:D
 
I am using a Groove 2 with two fully charged 16340's I set it back. to 110 ma, and I remember when I first turned it on, I thought whoa that's bright, then it turned off for a second, then turned back on, and I don't think it is as bright now. I don't think I killed it soldering, because I only touched it with the iron for two seconds on each pin, and it was in the module.

I put an order in for another PHR the night it happened, so its coming in the mail tomorrow, Thanks for your help though.

-Cam

lazeerer said:
PHR can take 130mA No Problem even 150mA no problem However they will not last long there.

Even at 120mA your looking at ~ 1 year of light use and a couple months if you use it only 1 minute a day.

PHR-803T are best to run at 90mA to a Max of 100ma.

If your diode still feels warm to the beam of your hand its possible has degraded, You not giving it enough battery supply or you dont know what to expect from a ~90mW-100mW 405nm laser and possible do not have anything to compare it too. With a 405-G-1 lens you should be getting If it is running at 130mA ~150mW. It should light a match no problem.

The Second dot most likely is what TJ said is that your diode is damaged But i think its from another factor other then running it at 130mA. Possible to much heat when soldering to the diode.

The second dot can also appear if the diode is NOT pressed in evenly. This will make a reflection IIRC that will cause a second dot.

What driver are you using.?
What batteries or Battery are you using.
How did you set the currant on your driver.? Did you use a testload.?

Pictures of you setup will help.

Your diode possible can still be good. If you want to give it a shot to check it out.:D
Click to expand...
 
I see but how did you set the currant on the driver.? You dint mention this.

So it does sound like you killed it driving it to hard.
 
I got my new diode today, and everything works great! I lit a green match as almost as soon as I hits the right spot on the focus.

I also cut the outer body of the wooden host I am making, and that looks great too. I will post pics when I am done
 
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