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Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits pens
- Thread starter drlava
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
So I'm thinking of grabbing one of these for my Sonar case.
I have 2xCR123a 3.6v batteries that seem to run well with it. Though, due to the voltage it would be better just to use one of those batteries. drlava, you wouldn't happen to have any dummy batteries I could bundle with the driver would you?
So I'm thinking of grabbing one of these for my Sonar case.
I have 2xCR123a 3.6v batteries that seem to run well with it. Though, due to the voltage it would be better just to use one of those batteries. drlava, you wouldn't happen to have any dummy batteries I could bundle with the driver would you?
IgorT
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Yeah, it's 5mm.. I was actually hoping you found smaller ones. Where is "here" btw? Where did you find these LEDs? The only place i found them was Conrad. And those turn on at 2.4-2.7V, so a schottky can still be required in series with the LED (did you find other voltages? where?)..
Otherwise, i just saw, that batteryjunction.com sells Li-Ion protection circuits alone, either for single cells or multiple Li-Ion packs. If you wanted to integrate it into a laser, might be better, if you didn't have to rip open another battery.
Krutz said:
Yeah, it's 5mm.. I was actually hoping you found smaller ones. Where is "here" btw? Where did you find these LEDs? The only place i found them was Conrad. And those turn on at 2.4-2.7V, so a schottky can still be required in series with the LED (did you find other voltages? where?)..
Otherwise, i just saw, that batteryjunction.com sells Li-Ion protection circuits alone, either for single cells or multiple Li-Ion packs. If you wanted to integrate it into a laser, might be better, if you didn't have to rip open another battery.
drlava
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=103143
currently I don't sory but have a look hereMurudai said:So I'm thinking of grabbing one of these for my Sonar case.
I have 2xCR123a 3.6v batteries that seem to run well with it. Though, due to the voltage it would be better just to use one of those batteries. drlava, you wouldn't happen to have any dummy batteries I could bundle with the driver would you?
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=103143
Zom-B
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
I received my lavadrives. I've tested one so far and it performs different from what I had expected.
First, the two ranges that can be selected with the range select pads do overlap, despite what the manual sais (low max 116mA, high min 106mA).
Second, I noticed some strange effects when modulating the input voltage. At the default current (80mA), the current drops to 75mA when the input voltage is 3.6V, but at voltages very near (<3.4V and >3.8V) the current is constant. Furthermore, after I had set it to the desired current, in the high current mode (180mA), the current increased as the voltage got very near 2.4V, to just over 200mA!!. Luckily, when this happens, it surely is the cause of empty batteries, and the batteries will drain even more at an ever increasing rate (remember, current rises as voltage drops), so it will only be for a short time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my driver. I just like to analyze things thoroughly and share my findings.
I received my lavadrives. I've tested one so far and it performs different from what I had expected.
First, the two ranges that can be selected with the range select pads do overlap, despite what the manual sais (low max 116mA, high min 106mA).
Second, I noticed some strange effects when modulating the input voltage. At the default current (80mA), the current drops to 75mA when the input voltage is 3.6V, but at voltages very near (<3.4V and >3.8V) the current is constant. Furthermore, after I had set it to the desired current, in the high current mode (180mA), the current increased as the voltage got very near 2.4V, to just over 200mA!!. Luckily, when this happens, it surely is the cause of empty batteries, and the batteries will drain even more at an ever increasing rate (remember, current rises as voltage drops), so it will only be for a short time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my driver. I just like to analyze things thoroughly and share my findings.
Zom-B
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Be creative with bolts (BCB™).
I made two dummy batteries so far:
Murudai said:So I'm thinking of grabbing one of these for my Sonar case.
I have 2xCR123a 3.6v batteries that seem to run well with it. Though, due to the voltage it would be better just to use one of those batteries. drlava, you wouldn't happen to have any dummy batteries I could bundle with the driver would you?
Be creative with bolts (BCB™).
I made two dummy batteries so far:
Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
I receievd my drives today, thx, they are so tiny!.
btw zom-b, very creative, using a bolt for a battery
When I have to use a dummy battery in a 3 battery holder I just get a small piece of wire and solder it in.
I receievd my drives today, thx, they are so tiny!.
btw zom-b, very creative, using a bolt for a battery
When I have to use a dummy battery in a 3 battery holder I just get a small piece of wire and solder it in.
drlava
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
ZomB, for your test what power supply did you use? Did you add a capacitor on the input side to compensate for the wires? The ramp-up at 2.4V could be a result of interaction with longer lead wires, or your power supply.
ZomB, for your test what power supply did you use? Did you add a capacitor on the input side to compensate for the wires? The ramp-up at 2.4V could be a result of interaction with longer lead wires, or your power supply.
Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
every diode that i can find and test, only has about 0.3V drop.
I even tested a 1n4007, and it dropped only 0.3V. testing with a 3.7V rcr123a lithium battery.
Why? or can I use it anyway? please answer quick, question is urgent ;D
Thanks, ArRaY
every diode that i can find and test, only has about 0.3V drop.
I even tested a 1n4007, and it dropped only 0.3V. testing with a 3.7V rcr123a lithium battery.
Why? or can I use it anyway? please answer quick, question is urgent ;D
Thanks, ArRaY
Zom-B
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Did you reverse the diode by any chance?
Did you reverse the diode by any chance?
Zom-B
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Tomorrow I'll check with the oscilloscope if there are still voltage spikes on the lines.
I used a very stable lab power supply and a 10uf cap at the driver side of the leads. I did notice that there are current spikes at the supply because I had to increase the current knob to about 2or 3 A before it read 250mA. Any lower and the (averaged) current just dropped.drlava said:
Tomorrow I'll check with the oscilloscope if there are still voltage spikes on the lines.
Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
FYI, if I reversed it it would not let current flow at all... i used it in the right way.
Question doesn´´t matter anymore... I accidently gave 6,3 V to the flexdrive. One little violet flash, and it would not turn on anymore.
What went wrong? the flexdrive or the diode? Could it be that I killed the flexdrive with to much input? it only was for like 1 second.
Or is my diode dead? that wouldn´t be as bad as if my flexdrive was broken. :'( :'( :'(
ArRaY
FYI, if I reversed it it would not let current flow at all... i used it in the right way.
Question doesn´´t matter anymore... I accidently gave 6,3 V to the flexdrive. One little violet flash, and it would not turn on anymore.
What went wrong? the flexdrive or the diode? Could it be that I killed the flexdrive with to much input? it only was for like 1 second.
Or is my diode dead? that wouldn´t be as bad as if my flexdrive was broken. :'( :'( :'(
ArRaY
daguin
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Yes. You killed the flexdrive. I don't know if it can be repaired or not. I don't know what all "blows" when this happens. The diode is probably OK
I hit one with 12V once. I'm still using the diode it was attached to.
Peace,
dave
ArRaY said:
Yes. You killed the flexdrive. I don't know if it can be repaired or not. I don't know what all "blows" when this happens. The diode is probably OK
I hit one with 12V once. I'm still using the diode it was attached to.
Peace,
dave
drlava
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Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
Yep, sorry. 6.2V is about the threshold for killing one.
For the diode drop question, how are you measuring the diode drop? If with a multimeter, it will show lower because it uses a tiny test current. You can measure the diode drop by putting 20 or more mA across it.
Yep, sorry. 6.2V is about the threshold for killing one.
For the diode drop question, how are you measuring the diode drop? If with a multimeter, it will show lower because it uses a tiny test current. You can measure the diode drop by putting 20 or more mA across it.
Re: Lava Micro FlexDrive Driver (lavadrive2) fits
I will test it in a few minutes to see if it still works or if i killed it. Damn! I did not know that it insta-dies when you put to much voltage to it. What part blows then? :'( :'( :'( Will have to get another one
And I can´t stand the shipping time...
ArRaY
edit: I tested it by measuring voltage of a cr123a. and then with the diode in series. That is strange, because you instruction sheet says i should use a 4001 diode, which I did. In the datasheet of this diode it says it has a 0.3 V drop.(datasheet found on the internet, no idea which 'brand')...
edit 2 : neither diode nor driver failed. They both work fine. Can´t imagine what was wrong. I will build it again today or tomorrow...
my cr123a primaries(?) have 3,3 V... should I just drain them to about 3,2-3,1 V?
I will test it in a few minutes to see if it still works or if i killed it. Damn! I did not know that it insta-dies when you put to much voltage to it. What part blows then? :'( :'( :'( Will have to get another one
And I can´t stand the shipping time...ArRaY
edit: I tested it by measuring voltage of a cr123a. and then with the diode in series. That is strange, because you instruction sheet says i should use a 4001 diode, which I did. In the datasheet of this diode it says it has a 0.3 V drop.(datasheet found on the internet, no idea which 'brand')...
edit 2 : neither diode nor driver failed. They both work fine. Can´t imagine what was wrong. I will build it again today or tomorrow...
my cr123a primaries(?) have 3,3 V... should I just drain them to about 3,2-3,1 V?
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