New boost driver with IMS PCB

[DTR]

As supply voltage decreases, the supply current increases exactly as any other driver. The minimum supply voltage is 2.4-2.7V. For voltages of about 3.7V the current is about 3.1A.

Not bad at all.:beer:

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Wait, you mean this driver DOESN'T pull energy out of thin air? Pff, I'm out. I was hoping to get something for nothing!

I'm curious about the current draw at ~2.7V, and whether the driver will disconnect when it gets below its voltage threshold. I'm hoping it cuts out or blinks or goes direct-drive or something at 2.6 or 2.7V if that is plausible. This would keep users from overdischarging their unprotected cells, if that is what they are using.

 

[Wolfman29]

I really like this board! Well designed and what not. However, I have two complaints (that is really one):

A) I think that there are smaller ICs that can handle more current. Or, you could always go two ICs, one is the switching IC and the other is a MOSFET. Together, a SOIC-8 and a SOT-23 ICs aren't as big as that big bulky 1370 IC.

B) If only you get could get this down to a board that is 16.4mm in diameter! c .c Would make it a lot more compatible

 

[laserluke]

Wait, you mean this driver DOESN'T pull energy out of thin air? Pff, I'm out. I was hoping to get something for nothing!

I'm curious about the current draw at ~2.7V, and whether the driver will disconnect when it gets below its voltage threshold. I'm hoping it cuts out or blinks or goes direct-drive or something at 2.6 or 2.7V if that is plausible. This would keep users from overdischarging their unprotected cells, if that is what they are using.

...this driver is more efficient. It pull energy out of farts!!! :crackup:
...at 2.7V your battery is already overdischarged.

 

[laserluke]

I really like this board! Well designed and what not. However, I have two complaints (that is really one):

A) I think that there are smaller ICs that can handle more current. Or, you could always go two ICs, one is the switching IC and the other is a MOSFET. Together, a SOIC-8 and a SOT-23 ICs aren't as big as that big bulky 1370 IC.

B) If only you get could get this down to a board that is 16.4mm in diameter! c .c Would make it a lot more compatible

Many thanks for the compliments.
I would make the following considerations:
- a blue diode with a current of 1.8A, needs to be well cooled with a big heatsink. So a microscopic driver has really less sense. There are poor designs with two paralleled flexdrives with unsynchronized clocks.
- the design's efforts should mainly concentrate to a robust, stable and precise current control. If you are using a microscopic chip and a bigger shunt resistor that dissipates 1W, you have only a poor design
- this driver is designed to manage large currents with wide voltage ranges and to obtain a strong thermal efficiency. It could manage more diodes connected in series and combined with a beam combiner to obtain an high optical power
- a more compatible driver for a keychain laser gadget it's all another thing

 

[tsteele93]

Wow, not sure how I missed this Luke! Very nice and while I do agree with others that there are some places where a small, high output driver is still useful, I also agree with you that this is still a very valid design since many high output drivers are going to be in large hosts anyway.

Did you ever come up with a commercial model for this driver? Or do you sell it at all?

 

[Machinist Joe]

In the same boat as Tom here.

If not, I am interested in working with you to maybe produce this for the forum to buy. I have all the tools to reflow.

 

[laserluke]

I'm looking around to see if there is an interest and a person interested to an agreement...
I'm using this driver for my 5W+ handheld and i have some boards.
-Luke

 

[Machinist Joe]

Where did you get those made?

 

[laserluke]

Where did you get those made?

I have contacts with a production facility that works with research institutes

 

[Machinist Joe]

I am interested in getting some of my own made, I have designed the pcb in eagle only using the top layer. Can you pm me if you might be able to get them made for me for cheaper? Thanks bud, and great work +1

 

[laserluke]

The production at the facility is worth only for quantities

 

[Machinist Joe]

How high of quantity? I got a quote for 142 17mm round boards for $138. Seems a bit high though.

 

[laserluke]

In the same boat as Tom here.

If not, I am interested in working with you to maybe produce this for the forum to buy. I have all the tools to reflow.

I am interested in getting some of my own made, I have designed the pcb in eagle only using the top layer. Can you pm me if you might be able to get them made for me for cheaper? Thanks bud, and great work +1

How high of quantity? I got a quote for 142 17mm round boards for $138. Seems a bit high though.

I'm confused :thinking:
Are you interested in my IMS pcb wide range driver or are you trying to make another driver (maybe my 17mm open-source buck boost???) by using my contacts?

 

[Machinist Joe]

Sorry, I agree I was being very unclear. At first I did offer to maybe work with you to get them in production, but I also have my own driver I was looking at getting made, and was wondering if you would share your source for getting them.

Sorry about the confusion.

I'm confused :thinking:
Are you interested in my IMS pcb wide range driver or are you trying to make another driver (maybe my 17mm open-source buck boost???) by using my contacts?

 

[laserluke]

Sorry, I agree I was being very unclear. At first I did offer to maybe work with you to get them in production, but I also have my own driver I was looking at getting made, and was wondering if you would share your source for getting them.

Sorry about the confusion.

Ok, no problems