THATS IT I GIVE UP!!!!

[FireMyLaser]

It's Rick Astley  

Oh noes!!

 

[sk8er4514]

[quote author=ElektroFreak link=1228016015/0#8 date=1228031191]I think daguin's hit the nail on the head here. The problem was the bad connection to the diode. You had said that the diode came disconnected, which left it vulnerable to a lot of things. If it disconnected while powered up,  that kills diodes instantly. You're best bet is to double- and triple-check your connections for strength and soundness. Make sure that nothing will exert too much strain on the connections during assembly. Your diode didn't blow for no reason, there was a clear reason..

EDIT: Also I think it should be stated that PHR diodes are NOT rated to run at the currents most people run them at. 60mW is their maximum rated output, anything above that and anything could happen..

it might have came loose when I set it on the desk thus why it didn't put out any light at all. the strange thing is, even with all the diodes I've killed none have produced the "led effect" I have yet to see that in person. maybe when I flipped the switch to on it reconnected and fried, who knows

BTW it was set at 97mA so not too far above what it was rated for[/quote]
It sounds like the problem is your soldering connections. Try using Rosin Flux on the connections before soldering them together and I believe your problems will be solved.

u can get rosin flux at RadioShack for a couple bucks.

-Kendall