New - "A better 1W budget boost driver" - AK-007

[rhd]

'tis safe for 18650s, isn't it?

Who knows... not I

I only offer the anecdotal feedback that it has worked will for me in two 16340 builds. Having said that, it doesn't provide a whole ton of current when used with the LiPo on my PicoBlue build - the only different I can see is the higher input current of a LiPo vs a 16340. So who knows, an 18650 would have higher current capabilities than a 16340 too - so maybe that cell won't work as well either - I have no idea

 

[laserpyro]

Was their any modifications you used to run this driver with a 12x and I assume it would work fine with an 18650?

 

[rhd]

- No mods. Obviously use a test load before you even think of attaching this to a diode. And I'm sure it goes without saying, but I always add a good ceramic cap in parallel with my diodes.

- Re 18650, I have no idea. Haven't tried it

 

[steviedezie]

hey rhd, i didnt want to thread jack so im just asking you if you have tried this driver HERE

got it from DX as well. its also a boost driver. Just built a LOC with it. if you dont mind, I can put up links to a review on it. i'll wait for your response, (didnt wanna piss you off)

 

[lazeerer]

^ Those are NO go. They power the 445nm diode but not much.

 

[steviedezie]

im not sure why you say that... i guess for 445 its not that great but I just built a LOC with it and its a REAL constant current driver. its fixed at 520mA when used with a LOC. I dont have another one of those drivers so i cant see what mA it will be at when it has to boost to blu-ray voltages. It seems like its pretty good for lower current builds. plus its only 2.19...just takes 1 month to get to you

 

[lazeerer]

I have these drivers. They work fine for LOC."you need to insulate it from the diode" But for 445nm is a NO Go.

That is why i said Its a NO GO for 445nm and not any other wavelength.

Be careful driving your LOC at 520mA.

 

[steviedezie]

ooops my bad, thats another example of speed reading gone wrong. didnt noticed the part on the 445 thing. anyways. I hear alot of people driving locs with 500mA alright so i'd thought it might be worth giving it a shot. so far so good i guess...

 

[rhd]

To clarify - I have a TON of these drivers we're talking about, but haven't found them hugely useful (I haven't tested them much though).

You're saying they work well for LOCs? That would actually be great, because I find it difficult to locate cheap boost drivers for LOCs.

And on that note - 525mA is great for an LPC826

 

[steviedezie]

ahhh shucks...guess this builds gotta wait until i get those 826's from Glenn.

 

[bhwollen]

Nice find rhd, I might test these out.

 

[rhd]

I just did another build with one tonight, and got 720 mW optical output through an aixiz lens. Not a full 1W - but not horrible. I'm not sure what the difference here was - very similar build. So these could be inconsistent drivers, or it could be a factor of batteries, lens, etc.

 

[foulmist]

You're saying they work well for LOCs? That would actually be great, because I find it difficult to locate cheap boost drivers for LOCs.

And on that note - 525mA is great for an LPC826

yep but LPC-815 - more likely ~420mA for good long life and almost full power!
500mA max but a lot of heatsinking

 

[steviedezie]

i'll replace the resistor on the other boost drive i have and see what currents i get out of it. I personally would like to see 450mA.

 

[foulmist]

i'll replace the resistor on the other boost drive i have and see what currents i get out of it. I personally would like to see 450mA.

Yep I would like that too ... I am just waiting for my pack of resistors and I will set it to 462mA

 

[steviedezie]

alrighty guys i just figured out the right values for that dx driver.

you need to stack 2 resistors to get 467mA... first take off the old R150 resitor and replace it with a 1R00 (1ohm) resistor, then stack on top of that, a r200 (0.2ohm) resistor and that should yeild something like 467.065... more or less exactly 467mA

combined with heatsinking the IC...it should run a LOC safely and reliably