Post your mA and mW

[Exerd]

What is your set-up? Does the diode have a pretty good heat-dump?
I noticed that these diodes can be temperature sensitive. ElektroFreak reported this, too.
During my testing, I've found that temperature can make a huge difference in output power. For example, when cool, the laser can hit 980mW easily. When warm, the laser will peak around 960mW and settle at ~920mW. After a ~3-4 minute on-cycle, the laser may output 880-900mW.

So if each current setting is tested one-after another, it may be helpful to allow a sufficient cool-down period between tests so that the numbers are not skewed by temperature variation (not necessarily saying that they are, of course).

I power on my Instek 3030DD until mW reaches max for that test range, then power down. Then I sit for about 20-30 seconds before next range test. I feel heatsink during tests, as I am aware of heat efficiency loss. On final test, heatsink is mildly warm. Not very warm at all.

I just set a Flexdrive to 940mA in an 18650 host and it is powering the diode just fine at over 750mW. The Flexdrive is not getting very hot for short cycles like I do. I have a Microboost in the mail, and a 2A driver.

These diodes have a yucky output.

I'm still largely a 12X fan.

 

[jayrob]

What lens were you using for the numbers in your tests?

 

[Exerd]

What lens were you using for the numbers in your tests?

405-G-1

Sorry, that was a big detail I should have posted. Thanks for mentioning it, Jayrob.

Edit:

Please disregard my previous results. I need to re-plot this diode due to reasons mentioned.

My diode is now demonstrating different power output than observed earlier. I just put it on the meter, and now it is overflowing the meter quickly past 1050mW. It is (presumably) set at the same ~940mA setting from earlier. The shop is cooler than earlier when it was 81 degrees, and it seems this is really effecting the output as mentioned.

I'm going to have to be sure each test represents a heatsink which has definitely cooled back to room temperature so results are not skewed.

 

[jayrob]

Just curious because those output powers look a little low...

Must be a lower efficiency diode.

Thanks for your work and for posting the numbers...

 

[HumanSymphony]

Just curious because those output powers look a little low...

Must be a lower efficiency diode.

Thanks for your work and for posting the numbers...

Indeed. I've seen a few with over 1W @ 1A. Also mostly seen 4.2v @ 900mA.
Spyderfire even had 4.3v @ 1.4A

 

[kevinmassey]

Graph in post #2 updated. It seems the three diodes tested at many different currents by Hmike, exerd, and mario master are very consistant. Which is a good!

 

[Exerd]

Guys, please read the info I posted a few posts up.

The laser is now putting out over 1050mW at 940mA in cooler conditions, which is why I am going to re-plot it sometime tonight to see what's going on.

I will post details later.

At listed outputs, it is right in line with our other plots. There simply appears to be two diodes.

Kevin, if you are using MS Paint to make this, keeping it a BMP instead of a JPG will sharpen the graph a little. :yh:

 

[kevinmassey]

Dangit looks like I'll have to redo your curve. I'm not sure what that means, but thanks .

 

[Exerd]

Dangit looks like I'll have to redo your curve. I'm not sure what that means, but thanks .

Sorry. Are you using MS Paint to make your graph? When you save the output file, choosing a Jpeg in Paint causes a quality loss where details can become slightly fuzzy. It's not a big deal, but if you have the opportunity, saving the output as a bitmap file (.BMP) will sharpen the graph details a little bit.

I will get back with a new plot soon. I want to wait until after dark to see this intense beam first. :san:

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

I can't find it now but did someone post about the microboost pulsing at high power?
I'm getting that with 1.4 Amps input after 5 seconds on time.

HMike

 

[kevinmassey]

I read that somewhere. It was because the battery couldn't provide enough current. What kind of batteries are you using?

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

18650 cells. Even fully charged, 5 seconds to pulsing.

HMike

 

[Glutton]

I can't find it now but did someone post about the microboost pulsing at high power?
I'm getting that with 1.4 Amps input after 5 seconds on time.

HMike

I read that somewhere. It was because the battery couldn't provide enough current. What kind of batteries are you using?

My laser was pulsing when i set the microboost maxed out. It was using a ultrafire 18650. After changing it to the AW 18650 the problem persisted. Jayrob advised me that it is probably the driver since the AW battery is rated at being able to feed up to 5A stable.

 

[kevinmassey]

Hmm I think it was gluttons that was doing the same thing with name brand 18650 cells, and his microboost was only set to 980ma... In fact I think that conversation took place in this thread a few pages back.

 

[Glutton]

Hmm I think it was gluttons that was doing the same thing with name brand 18650 cells, and his microboost was only set to 980ma... In fact I think that conversation took place in this thread a few pages back.

am i invisible?

lol yes it was mine. it pulses at about 10-15 seconds with the AW.

 

[jayrob]

18650 cells. Even fully charged, 5 seconds to pulsing.

HMike

I've mentioned this before, but in case some did not check it out...

At this kind of current demand, you need to spend the extra money for a top quality AW battery:
AW 18650 Protected 2600 mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery - New Version

Check out the specs...

They claim to handle as much as even 5 Watts of current draw!

I know for a fact that they handle 2800mA's for my P7 mods...

I've got one waiting for my A140 build... (950mA's is what I'm planning)

Just waiting on this SS host:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.32563

And a new kit is available too!
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-stainless-steel-18650-kit-polished-perfect-445-a-52159.html