Hey, Styro!
I just received the Dilda today, and even with the workload i have and will continue to have until the end of may, i just had to do some testing and measurements. I wanted to know if it is regulated.
Here are my test results:
Current: 2x 3V CR2 primary: 0.24A in 20A range, 0.240A in 2A range.
Power: 154mW
Since the current doesn't change, even when i change ranges, this might indicate some regulation. The 2A range measures through a different shunt, which can affect some cheap green lasers by as much as 200mA current drop on a bad day.
But!
Current: 2x 3V CR2 rechargable: 0.31A in 20A range, 0.304A in 2A range.
Power: 176mW
Again no difference between the ranges whatsoever, but why the higher current? 3V rechargables are a better power source than primaries. But if it was regulated, and the reason for the lower power with the primaries would be dropping out of regulation, there would be a BIG difference between the ranges. The shunt in the 2A range would introduce an additional voltage drop and the reading would be lower, than in the 20A range.
So it would definitely appear to have some form of regulation, but it might not be a true constant current source.
I have some 3.6V CR2 rechargables, but putting them in might be too much. Who knows what would happen at 8.4V, altho i have no doubt, someone already tried. I need to approach this more carefully, by hooking it up to a PSU, and slowly raising the voltage. I will also limit the current, just in case it tries to overshoot. Unfortunatelly, i do not have time for that at this moment.
What i'm surprised about is, that when you measured the current, it was the same almost to the end. So long in fact, that you killed one of your batteries. This is a little bit odd. Since the current is lower with primaries, it should eventually drop to that level on the rechargables as well. It wouldn't make sense, that the current would constantly be 240mA with primaries and 310mA with rechargables.
It is possible, there are different versions of the driver in this laser tho. Wouldn't be the first time.
Otherwise, the build quality of this laser seems good. I expected it to be a little more massive tho. It has almost the same diameter as the KD50, but that one is way more massive. The head/heatsink here has more mass than an aixiz module, so it's better than nothing. The driver is fixed to the head with something resembling the QuickSteel epoxy, so the batteries can not put stress on the diode. It's actually quite a good laser.
I just managed to light a cigarette with it, and it seemed to happen much faster, than with my 186mW laser. I have no idea why, but it could be just a feeling.
When i first grabbed it in my hand, it almost felt as if it was made of plastic. It is very light. I expected it to be heavier. The KD50 is heavier without the battery, than this one with two inside.
There is a good side to this, as alluminum is a very good heat conductor. The head does get warm, but interestingly enough, the heat travels through the threads into the tube.
It looks like a very good laser actually. And the paint seems to be of a high quality. I am not sure it would be a good host for an open can at 420mA tho. The heatsinking might not be good enough. 350mA should be ok tho. Could be a wonderful host for the new StoneTek diodes, in case the original one dies.
You were right, Styro. Even with all my DIYs i don't regret buying this. As soon as i find some time, i will analyze it further and maybe replace the driver, to keep it safe at close to the upper current limits and run it off two 3.6V CR2s.
