@fotonphorces:
I hooked the module and regulator up to a heat sink and saw an amazingly bright dot . The thing lit a match in no time.
After about 30 seconds of run time, I touched the big resistor on the driver and it was HOT!!
I read some topics on laserpointerfourms about this and it seems to be caused by too much voltage. I checked the voltage before, after, and during. The module was only getting 2.994V.
fotonphorces, some of us believe that the 200mw units are actually designed for only 100mw, but were "pot-modded" by the factory to over-drive the diode for higher power.:tsk:
While it is true that putting too much voltage into these things can cause problems, turning them up too high can
also cause things to
"heat up"!
One of the members here (disma) earlier reported that his 200mw unit instantly burned him
at only 2.8V, so he shut it off, examined it, and discovered that the pot had been set by the factory all the way to
MAX POWER! :wtf:
That is scary indeed, as even at 3V,
this driver can deliver more than enough current to destroy the diode!
(This may not be as much of a problem for DX when they put these things into pens, as AAA's do not have enough horsepower to drive even my 100mw model fully!)
The stock driver likely consumes a volt or so itself.
Actually, no. There is no regulator "drop-out" voltage like you would have with a normal regulator design like a rkcstr or DDL. The LD is being driven directly off of the power supply, in series with a driver transistor (with only 0.3V C-E forward voltage at full saturation) and a 0.33 ohm resistor.
Perhaps increasing the voltage a bit could fix it...
DEFINITELY no! This driver can function at well under 3V - he's already feeding it more than enough (2.994V), any more will likely just cause further damage,
as this driver does not regulate well > 3V!
After those pictures you posted of "vaporized" metal, I would think you of all ppl would be aware of what kind of damage this driver can do to an innocent diode if given too much power to play with!
However since it did work the first time it should work any other time with that setup.
You are correct - that
LAST thing you want to do is feed even more power into the driver right now!
My question is what to do now? Did I permanently damage something?
I don't know if you damaged your diode or not. But here is what I suggest you do.
First off, hook a meter between your power supply (LM317) and the module (so you can measure the current going into the driver), turn it on for a few secs, and see how much current it is using. Then let us know.
If it is real high, try turning-down the pot (clockwise?) on the driver to a more reasonable current level.
For examples of current #'s (to the driver) -
My 100mw module was set by the factory at 530ma - and the big resistor doesn't even get warm!
Hemlock_Mike's 200mw module was set by the factory at 590ma, and put out 143mw of green.
When he pot-modded that same unit, he got the most power at 610ma, and now it outputs 160mw of green.
And whatever you do, don't go past 3V!
Try that, and then report back what you find-out!