how far can you push a red diode?

[Kevlar]

I have completed two more runs and at the same temperature the next diode lasted 36.5 hr at 420 ma with 270 mw (thru the same Aixiz lens) and the other diode lasted for almost the exact same duration of 37.0 hr with 390 ma and 255mw. Am now running a third diode at 350 ma and 230 mw and at 15 hr so far so good.

Thank you for sacrificing diodes for the sake of data!!!! +1 to sir!! :beer:

These numbers are not too bad. Personally, I could live with that. If yours lasted 36.5 hours at 420mA thats about 2190 minutes. So if you used that laser every day, for 5 minutes a day, it would last 438 days. (I hope my math is right ) I don't even use my lasers every day so in my book, thats a decent life.

 

[steve001]

I guess the better question is how far can you push them AND have the diode last?

One day I pushed one all the way to Toledo and it still worked. I must say I was darned tired after that.

 

[planters]

350ma x 58 hours and it was still running when I gave up. And at -51.5C 645nm and it looks good at 350ma with 240mw at 4 hours.

 

[ravenit]

Do lasers follow the rule P= VxI (power = volts x current?)

 

[planters]

No. Given sufficient voltage the output of a diode laser is roughly linear with current.