Please help me troubleshoot my first build...

[EPRSEric]

My first laser building attempt does not appear to be working all too well. I'll provide the details, so far, and can someone help me with some troubleshooting? The problem I'm experiencing is that I'm not getting much output.


Here's my setup...

- rkcstr driver configured for full range and adjusted until I got light from the diode, plus a little more (I figured it best not to push it until I built a test load to set it appropriately)

- LPC-815 diode removed myself (maybe I damaged trying to remove it...I don't know what to look for)

- Modwerx heatsink module with AR glass lens

- 4AA battery pack from Radio Shack with a 9-volt type snap connector.


My thoughts...

- I can focus to a pin point by adjusting the glass lens, but maybe I have it in backwards? What is front/back on these things? I noticed one side was sort of inserted into the other. That's the side I have facing the diode.

- Perhaps my battery pack is only spitting out 3V and not 6V...rigged parallel instead of series. I will check this with a volt meter when I get home tonight.

- I took care soldering the driver together so as not to have any shorts. I would assume if I did, I would have no ouput at all?

- Maybe I damaged the diode removing it from the LPC-815? What does a damaged diode look like? I did end up using my Dremel to cut into the aluminum, then used a screw driver to pry it apart. I was careful not to cut too far, but would the vibration be an issue? There doesn't seem to be anything vibration sensitive from looking at the diode.

- On a different noe, the last thing I noticed, is that the diode does not fit tight into the heatsink/module. Should it? There is a thumb ring that screws into the back that seems to hold the diode in. The only problem is that you can't solder the driver to the diode then as the rings spaces it out too far. Drew, perhaps you can provide some insight into this?

Thanks all,
Eric

 

[bugattidude]

you might not have enough voltage.. ud need 5.25-12V for driving red diodes

 

[ElektroFreak]

If you have two 3V batteries in parallel, you have 3V going in. To double the voltage, the batteries must be in series.

 

[lasersbee]

Are you using fresh standard AA batteries (4 X 1.5V = 6volts)....
or NiHM AA batteries (4 X 1.2V = 4.8Volts)

1) check the actual voltage of your Battery supply under load...
2) if battery voltage is above 2.5Volts then use a Test Load...
to adjust and test your Driver's current...
3 when your driver's current is adjusted to where you want it...
turn it off and remove the Test Load..
4) short out the Driver's output capacitor....
5) connect your diode to your adjusted/tested driver...

If the LD has a strong beam... you're set to go
If the LD is very weak or does not lase at all... it's time to
get another LD....:cryyy:


Jerry
(3900-6465-81)

 

[Mohrenberg]

i'm confused. you said you adjusted the driver untill it was outputting light....

so what exactly is the problem?

if your getting some light out of it, make sure it's at least 6 volts.
once you do that if it's still a dim light then you've killed your diode.

 

[EPRSEric]

Well, after some testing last night, I'm fairly certain I killed the diode. It looks fine upon visual inspection, but with 9 volts going in and the driver turned up, it's still only an LED at best...doh! It must have happened when I was trying to get it out of the heatsink. I'm only going to buy single diodes from now on...