power supply question

[mn1247]

I am getting started with laser diode projects, and I'm thinking of getting a current-limiting power supply. I'm hoping to get a bit of advice as to what I should look for. In particular, I'm confused about "current-limiting". For example, I was looking at Velleman PS613. It has a current-limiting feature, but the manual says that it shouldn't be operated when it is in overload. Here's what it says...

"Although the device has a current limit protection, if an overload or short-circuit occurs, the device should be powered down and the overload or short-circuit should be removed as soon as possible"

Would this be unsuitable for running a laser diode? Also, anything else I should be concerned about?

Thanks for any advice
Eric

 

[Eudaimonium]

Running a diode directly off the PSU is generally a bad idea unless you KNOW the PSU won't produce any current spikes on it's output.

Also, depending on what the PSU considers a short circuit, running a 445nm diode at some 2 Amps could "maybe" trigger the short circuit protection.

In short, yeah it's probably a bad idea. You should consider building a variable driver. It's not difficult and it could be a very fun project. You don't have to have a fancy LED display on it, but you can install a jumper to control the output with;

Position 1: 20mA,
Position 2: 100mA,
Position 3: 400mA,
Position 4: 1 Amps.

Or something of the sorts, just a suggestion.

 

[Leodahsan]

You can always make your own power supply.
I'm making one for my electronics course and I'm including a LM317 based constant current supply. It will be handy

 

[Cyparagon]

It might be referring to the fixed 5V and 12V outputs. The main 0-30V output should be okay with a short.

Some switching supplies I've seen will not reliably drive loads lower than 1.5V or so. However, this doesn't look like a switching supply.