P!ss weak 16X Diode from DVD sled (?)

[jupiter8]

I just successfully removed my first laser diodes from a DVD burner I procured. It's an HP GWA-4166B Double Layer 16x DVD±RW IDE Drive w/LightScribe. There were 2 LDs on the sled, as I expected. I guessed correctly which one was the DVD/red side of things and extracted that, carefully soldered wires onto the pins and tested it by carefully touching the output side of my 6v driver circuit for my red laser module. It came on and shined red, but hardly what I'd call blinding. I'm a bit disappointed, I expected more! Am I driving this diode with the wrong voltage or current perhaps? I wanted to build myself a nice little module with this diode and a custom driver... :cryyy:

 

[bobhaha]

tested it by carefully touching the output side of my 6v driver circuit

Are you saying the leads to the driver were not soldered on? If so, you have just blown your diode and it is now a nice red LED

When testing any diodes always take precautions to prevent voltage spikes. This means make sure power to the driver is disconnected, the caps are discharged (done buy shorting the output of the driver to the diode with a metal object or wire), soldering all joints so they are shiny and hard and finally always place the switch between the driver and battery pack NOT between the diode and driver.

Follow those easy steps and all should be fine. I also assume you know how to set the current on the driver? Have you checked that the current is constant and stable in the range that your diode needs.

EDIT: next time I suggest using this laser diode

http://modwerx.com/shop/lpc815-20x-dvd-burner-laser-lens-assembly-w-red-laser-diode-p-2.html

Hope that helped -Adrian

 

[jupiter8]

Thanks bobhaha, you may be right. I'm not sure it's blown, I never saw it flash bright... but then again I have no experience with this. I will try again.

 

[bobhaha]

Some do not flash, some don't even turn into a LED some just die.

If you were holding the wires on the driver, you have a dead diode.

 

[bloompyle]

Some do not flash, some don't even turn into a LED some just die.

If you were holding the wires on the driver, you have a dead diode.

That's odd, I had a PHR soldered onto a driver, I used to hold a 6V battery pack to it for it to work, then I tried 9V and it completely died.

 

[Bionic-Badger]

Er, did you mount it in a heatsink? What used to happen to me is that I'd extract the diode, press it into an Aixiz module, and then power it up. It'd look awesome for a bit and then burn out because it wasn't heatsinked properly.

Now if you're just powering it up without any sort of mounting, it's going to burn up REALLY quickly, assuming you didn't powerspike it.

Procedure: Extract diode, short leads (try folding a crimped paper clip so it stays attached), mount in module/heatsink, solder pins to wires, solder wires to (shorted) unpowered driver output, remove shorting wires, power on. The only way you should test the module is by applying power to the driver, only after everything is soldered up.

 

[laserboystuart]

maybe tell us what current you were driving it with?

stuart

 

[jupiter8]

300mW :yabbem: before that I touched various pins in different combinations with my multimeter set to diode test mode. I wasn't aware these diodes were so touchy - lesson learned, the hard way.

The output circuit hasn't been tested with a load circuit, I'm yet to build one of those. I'll make it a priority, and try this whole exercise again, more carefully.

 

[bobhaha]

That's odd, I had a PHR soldered onto a driver, I used to hold a 6V battery pack to it for it to work, then I tried 9V and it completely died.

@ bloompyle That's because the power spikes were produced before the driver. Any power spikes from the battery to the driver is filtered out by the driver, which it is built to do. But when you have power spikes between the output of the driver and the diode, that is where you have problems, and you will more then likely kill your diode.

@jupiter8 Why are you testing a diode with out knowing the current output of the driver? It basically the same as connecting the diode to a battery pack. If you want me to make you a dummy load, I can for free, just pay for shipping within Australia, which should only be ~$5.

Always use a dummy load to set the current before attaching any laser diode.

-Adrian

 

[jupiter8]

thanks bobhaha - it escaped my notice that you are located in Australia! I will take you up on your offer and I won't forget your assistance, if I may ever return the favour. I'll send you a PM now. :thanks: