(Others having trouble W/?)PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

[Down with Umbrella]

Hello LPF,

When I first saw this diode pop up a few months ago I was very exciting and kept polking the thread for updates haha.
When DTR had them available I ordered one right away, however when it arrived I was in transition with work and such so just recently I started the build. I designed this module case negative to work in Sinners pen hosts he is building but in the mean time I had an empty S4 host with an anodized green heat sink. This however would prove problematic. soldering the diode to the driver was tedious since I had to dewire both the driver and diode but it went fine.
LAZEERER Xboost driver set to 500ma
powered by one 18650.

RAWR
The problem was getting continuity since the module was case negative and the paint on the host was tough, I spent a lot of time going back and forth with a dremal wire wheel then with a sand stone. this was done of course without the diode present. Even after I achieved continuity there was 5 ohms of resistance between the module and where the tail cap contacts.

Output
when I connected everything together i tested the raw output..i would not call this ***y but i guess it could be worse

lets put this on the LPM
i got a PEAK of 141mW with a G2 lens. Honestly i was disappointed i didn't get atleast 250mw but maybe when i get the Sinner host that might pick up.

Thanks for reading! tonight ill have to see what the beam looks like at night.
Jefferson.

 

[Livinloud]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Tip, dont hold your laser when you meter it. You are throwing your readings off. Turn the laser on (with something blocking the beam from the sensor), put the laser down and then move the beam stop Let it go xx seconds and then see what your reading is. You will have an accurate reading of your laser now

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Tip, dont hold your laser when you meter it. You are throwing your readings off. Turn the laser on (with something blocking the beam from the sensor), put the laser down and then move the beam stop Let it go xx seconds and then see what your reading is. You will have an accurate reading of your laser now

Great ill keep that in mind. Usually I prop it up on a hat or something not today tho

 

[Livinloud]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Yeah, I put mine on a box and have my ophir on a box as well. Use a SS ruler as my beam stop since its large enough to cover the whole front of the ophir and just angle the beam away from the laser (wood/everything else normally burn with the lasers I test :na

As you are probably aware, you need to let the laser sit for ~30-45 seconds to get a proper reading with that TEC sensor.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Ill be doing more testing tonight. I'm having trouble with the heat sink contacting the host. Ill clean that up and set the laser up with the LPM. Hopefully this works

 

[Tmack]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Grix also had one at under 200mw at that current, and RA pierce first test showed under 200 mw but then later went up. I'm kind of worried to get one.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

UPDATE:
last night I removed more of the anodized coating off the host and heat sink, fully charged the battery to 4.1V, set the laser up to the LPM properly and achieve similar results. slightly weaker power.
looks like in this host this laser will not reach the intended goal of 250mW. (hard to see but it reads 136mW peak)

 

[Thejoker301]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

Nice Build

I have one diode on the way for a customer. The S4 heatsink is very small indeed. Maybe in a larger host the output will be a bit higher.

:beer:

 

[IsaacT]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

@dwtu: you might try hooking everything up without the host and see what happens then. I have never been able to strip enough off for one of those hosts to work for me.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

@dwtu: you might try hooking everything up without the host and see what happens then. I have never been able to strip enough off for one of those hosts to work for me.

Yesi can try that. The other thing I would like to do is isolate the diode by hooking it up to my DC variable PSU. That would eliminate issues with the driver. Unfortunately I'm in Florida and my PS in in Maine and the diode is already soldered on.
Looking back that would be a good diagnostic.

 

[Tmack]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

I've used a Dremel and the wire brush bit and keep hitting it until you get a nice loud beep from the dmm,

But I would definitely measured output without host.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: PL520-B1 S4 host build. mixed results

I used a dremel with a stainless steel wheel.

Edit: I also used my DMM to check resistance. It's has a solid beep but measures 2-5ohms of resistance.

I've used a Dremel and the wire brush bit and keep hitting it until you get a nice loud beep from the dmm,

But I would definitely measured output without host.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Even after I transferred this module to the sinner host I now get a peak of 142.4mW.
The driver is set to 500ma.. Is this just my diode/driver or are some of you experiencing the samething?

 

[jander6442]

talk about the dummie load and setting for that..

 

[Tmack]

I have heard grix and rapierce have the exact problem. I'm scared to buy one

 

[IsaacT]

I am no longer bothering with 520. I have too many other prioritues for building back my collection.